LIFESTYLE
Neluka De Alwis
In conversation with Dona Senara
JOURNEY OF LIFE
Born on
International Women’s Day
Alma mater
Bishop’s College
Family members
Mother and brother
Wanted to be
An accountant
Is (but didn’t want to be)
I’m in real estate (sales and marketing) and have no regrets about my decision
Drives
A Mercedes-Benz
Would like to drive
A red Mustang – my favourite
A moment you would like to go back to
My schooldays – it was such a carefree life!
Best advice received
From my late father – “Failures are the pillars of success.”
INTIMATE AND INSPIRING
Likes to play
Badminton
Likes to watch
Netflix
Most unforgettable event
My first roller coaster ride – it was a terrifying experience
Purpose in life
Without God, life has no purpose; and without purpose, life has no meaning; and without meaning, life has no significance or hope
Most remarkable people
President Barack Obama and Wilfred Woo (a mentor)
Role models
Mother Theresa and my mother
UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL
Mantra to unwind
Time spent with family and friends
Most hated chore
Laundry
Impressed by
People with a positive outlook on life – I believe it’s within us to help make the world a better place
Happy place
Home with my dog Zoe
Hobbies
Travel and exploration
Pet peeves
Arrogance, ‘attitude’ and bragging
What you think about when you’re in the car
The day ahead
Items on your bucket list for the next six months
Travel the world and explore new destinations
Three items on your bucket list following retirement
Volunteer for a local charity, paint and give a TED Talk
Three must-haves
Honesty, loyalty and trust
What you would like to have
A beach villa
A little-known fact about you
I am a perfectionist
FAVOURITES
Day of the week
Friday
Colours
Red and black
Chill out spot
At my bestie’s – happy laughter and a glass of wine
Workwear
Formal and casual
Leisure wear
Jeans and T-shirt
Brands
Chanel, Gucci, Louis Vuitton
and Nike
Cuisines
Indian, Japanese and Indonesian
Drinks or beverages
Gin and tonic, and single malt
Local holiday destinations
Beach and hill country
International holiday destinations
Europe, the US and Australia
Restaurants
The London Grill and Yumi
Actress
Priyanka Chopra
Musician
Andrea Bocelli
Author
Sydney Sheldon
Favourite quote
“I can accept failure; everyone fails at something – but I can’t accept not trying” – Michael Jordan
Favourite international sportsperson
Cristiano Ronaldo
Favourite local civil servant
Deshamanya Bradman Weerakoon
Obsessed with
My gym routine
Likely retirement destination
Sri Lanka
COMPLETE THE SENTENCE
When you dance, you feel like…
There’s no greater feeling than dancing to beautiful music and letting the
world disappear
The first thing you notice when meeting someone…
His or her smile and attitude
You know it’s going to be a bad day when you…
Wake up with a severe headache
You’re challenged by…
Overthinking
You recently laughed out loud…
I’m always laughing – every day at that!
Saddened when…
People disappoint me
Love has the power to…
Conquer the world
Happiness is when…
I can enjoy the small things in life
Sri Lanka will have a chance to develop when…
We work towards a common goal – without any hidden agendas – for the betterment of the country and its economic prosperity
The world is…
Full of kind people – if you can’t find one, be one
Message of positivity in these trying times
We complain about what can’t be accomplished instead of giving it one hundred percent of our effort and focus – anything is possible with the right mindset
PICK ONE
Memory skills on a scale of 0-10
8
Most productive in the morning, noon or night
Morning
A hunter or gatherer by nature
Hunter
Cook or foodie
Both
The most delightful words you can think of
‘Contentment’ and ‘happiness’
Do you consider yourself a student or teacher
A bit of both
A technology that will transform the future
AI is the future
Your most used word or phrase
Thankful
Workout preferences
Gym
Yourself in a few words
A bubbly person with a positive outlook on life
Motto in life
Be kind – because you never know the battles that others are fighting
