LIFESTYLE
Imal Fonseka
In conversation with Nimanthi Bandaranayake
JOURNEY OF LIFE
Born in
October 1968
Alma mater
Trinity College
Family members
My wife and soulmate (Kishani) – and my son and reason for being (Anish)
Wanted to be
In advertising – the glamour attracted me
Is (but didn’t want to be)
A CEO and an entrepreneur
What drives you…
Making a change and facing challenges – I seek a change when things get comfortable
What fuels your creativity and passion…
Data ignites my creativity and making an impact drives my passion
A moment you would like to go back to
I enjoyed carefree days in pristine environments as the son of a tea planter
Best advice received
To plan my life goals and then a strategy to achieve them within the given timelines
INTIMATE AND INSPIRING
Most unexpected source of inspiration
Both my Loku Nandi and Mahappa (each in their own way) have inspired me in deciding how to live life
Role model
My mother moulded my values. She set high aspirations for my brother and me – we owe our success to the foundation she laid
Proudest achievement
I have helped people grow to bigger roles in all the organisations that I’ve worked in and that’s the greatest satisfaction for me – it beats market share gains and profit growth
UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL
A daily practice
Taking a long solitary walk at 4 a.m. every day for two hours
Most hated chore
Ironing
Happy place
Tracking animals in the wild
Musical genre of choice
Country
Hobby
Wildlife photography – I have blocked one weekend every month for that
Why you like wildlife photography
My passion for the wild – passed on to me by my father – combined with my creative instinct inspired me to capture those moments on film
Items on your bucket list following retirement
To explore the South American and missed African wilds
Travel destinations on your bucket list
Tanzania and Rwanda
Legacy you wish to leave behind
My legacy will be lived through the lives I have touched – those whose horizons were enlarged, those whose values are well-founded and those whose lives have improved
Advice to your younger self
Don’t rush life
FAVOURITES
Day of the week
Saturday
Colour
Blue
Animal
Elephant
Chill out spot
Under a tree
Workwear
Formal clothes
Leisure wear
Shorts, T-shirts and flip-flops
Brands
I don’t believe in branded wear
Cuisines
Southeast and north Asian cuisine
Drink or beverage
Vodka and tonic
Local holiday destination
The hill country
International holiday destination
Switzerland
Restaurant
Xi Yue
Books
I read and collect autobiographies
Quote
When you lose focus, it’s like losing your virginity – you lose it for ever
Likely retirement destination
Back to the tea country
Celebrating a holiday or special occasion
With my wife and son – somewhere private
COMPLETE THE SENTENCE
First thing you notice when meeting someone is…
His or her smile
You’re challenged by…
Verbose people
Most important quality in a friend is...
Being someone who will take me for who I am and tell me as it is – and be with me in good times and bad
Saddened when…
People I trust let me down
When you are feeling stressed, you like to...
Eat
Love has the power to…
Overcome any hurdle
Happiness is when…
You have a companion for life
Sri Lanka will have a chance to develop when…
Our voters stop electing corrupt politicians
Message of positivity in these trying times is...
Cowards jump ship while success rewards the brave
Your goal for thefuture is...
To establish my food brand
PICK ONE
Most productive in the morning, noon or night…
Morning
Coffee or tea
Tea
Savoury or sweet dishes
I am addicted to chocolates
Eating out or cooking at home
Cooking at home
Most delightful words you can think of
Thank you
Your most used word or phrase
Jeez
Work out preferences
Long walks
Documentaries, fictional TV series or reality shows…
A definite ‘no’ to reality TV
Solitude and quiet moments or social gatherings and parties
Quiet moments – I hate cocktails and loud clubs
A day at the spa, a cozy day at home or an adventurous getaway
A cozy day at home
Coastal, mountainous or desert landscapes as vacation destinations
Mountains – I love hiking
Motto in life
Live well and make an impact
