LIFESTYLE
Hashan Cooray
In conversation with Dona Senara
JOURNEY OF LIFE
Born in
1996
Alma mater
St. Joseph’s College
Family
Father (Hiran), mother (Dharshi) and brothers (Dmitri and Harin)
Wanted to be
An entrepreneur or a chef
Drives
Any vehicle that’s automatic and available for use
Would like to drive
Nothing in particular
A moment you would like to go back to
My schooldays
Best advice received
Be patient
INTIMATE AND INSPIRING
Likes to play
Cricket
Likes to watch
Comedies, cooking videos and anything from DC or Marvel
Most unforgettable event
The passing of a very close friend
Purpose in life
To serve my country through our family business
Most remarkable person
My grandfather Herbert Cooray
Role model
My father Hiran Cooray
UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL
Most hated chore
Taking out the trash at home
Impressed by
People who have a positive outlook on life and genuinely work to develop Sri Lanka
Happy place
Home
Hobby
Cooking
Pet peeves
Naysayers and irresponsible drivers
Items on your bucket list following retirement
Since there’s a long way to go, I haven’t really thought about it
What you would like to have
More time with my friends and family
FAVOURITES
Day of the week
Saturday
Colour
Blue
Chill out spot
Tamil Union
Workwear
Pants and short sleeve shirts
Leisure wear
Sarong or shorts and T-shirt
Brands
Not interested in branded clothes
Cuisine
Everything – Sri Lankan, Japanese, Thai, Indian, Chinese and so on
Drinks and beverages
Whisky, arrack or gin, and Sri Lankan tea or coffee
Local holiday destination
It’s hard to pick one but my favourite is probably our home in the hills – Jetwing Warwick Gardens
International holiday destinations
I love all the destinations I’ve been to and would like to discover more places; my family and I also like visiting the US and Thailand regularly
Restaurants
Virticle by Jetwing and Smoke & Bitters
Favourite quote
‘Don’t worry, be happy.’
Favourite international sportsperson
Kane Williamson
Obsessed with
Sri Lanka – the most beautiful place on Earth
Likely retirement destination
A quiet place in Sri Lanka – probably in the hills
COMPLETE THE SENTENCE
When you dance, you look like…
A big still tree
The first thing you notice when meeting someone…
His or her smile and attitude
You’re challenged by…
Overthinking
You laugh out loud…
Often
You’re saddened when…
People leave Sri Lanka
Love has the power to…
Change lives
Happiness is when…
I’m with my friends and family
Sri Lanka will have a chance to develop when…
We the people believe it can be done and work towards it
The world is…
Changing constantly and we have to keep adapting
Message of positivity in these trying times…
Sri Lanka has the most beautiful locations and amazing people – there’s no place like it in the world – so we need to leave behind a better country for future generations
PICK ONE
Memory skills on a scale of 0-10
Six
Most productive in the morning, noon or night
Morning
A hunter or gatherer by nature
Hunter
Cook or foodie
Both
You consider yourself a student or teacher
A student
A technology that you think will transform the future
Currently, it is generative AI… it could be something else in a couple of years
Your most used word or phrase
Tiptop (my brothers and I inherited this from our father)
Workout preferences
Walks with my father or workouts at the gym
Yourself in a few words
I’m an unstylish simple person who wants to make a positive impact within my capacity and pass on my grandfather’s legacy to the next generation. I also like to joke around and enjoy life’s journey instead of waiting for the ‘perfect time’ or moment
Motto in life
I don’t have a motto per se but I say a small prayer every morning, and ask God and my loved ones in heaven to guide and help me serve my family, company and country as best as I can
