Harith Perera

In conversation with Nimanthi Bandaranayake

JOURNEY OF LIFE

Born on
14 October 196

Alma mater
St. Joseph’s Colleg

Family members
Wife (Anagi) and two daughters (Liyah and Kaya

Wanted to be
Didn’t have a clu

Is
A partner of the Acorn Grou

What drives you?
Financial independence – and my family and colleague

And what fuels your creativity and passion?
The love I have for my work and making impactful change

Moment you would like to go back to
When I found out that my firstborn was a baby gir

Best advice receive
Do things so you can face anybody, any day, anywhere

INTIMATE AND INSPIRING

Likes to play
Cricket and eight ball pool

Likes to watch
School rugby games and the English Premier League

Most unforgettable event
The 1996 Cricket World Cup

Your life in a movie title
The Beach

Unexpected sources of inspiration
God and my past bosses

Role model
There’s a role model within every individual

Proudest achievement
Yet to achieve it – it must either change Sri Lanka or mankind

UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL

A daily practice
A two minute visit to church every morning

Most hated chore
Picking small onions at the supermarket

Impressed by
The pace of social media and the younger generation impresses me

Happy places
My home and North London

A unique talent
I never forget a face

Goal on your bucket list following retirement
To be super fit both mentally and physically

Music you enjoy
I enjoy listening to ’80s music

Most transformative book you’ve read
David Beckham: My Side

A little-known fact about you
I was called ‘batti’ in school for my diminutive frame

What legacy do you hope to leave behind?
That I was a great person to be with

Advice to younger self
Shouldn’t have given up playing cricket in school

FAVOURITES

Day of the week
Friday

Colour
Black

Chill out spot
Clubhouse at home

Work wear
Casual attire

Leisure wear
Shorts and a T-shirt

Brands
They vary most of the time

Cuisines
Depends on my mood

Beverages
Single malt and iced soda

Local holiday destinations
Anywhere down south

International holiday destination
London

Restaurant
Pilawoos is a close favourite

Books
Unfortunately, I’m a very poor reader

Quote
“Wise men speak because they have something to say; fools because they have to say something.” – Plato

Local sportspeople
Angelo Mathews and Sanath Jayasuriya

International sportspeople
Serena Williams, Thierry Henry and Apisai Nagata

Likely retirement destination
Pelawatte – for sure

COMPLETE THE SENTENCE

When you dance, you look like…
Usher… actually, like an absolute disaster!

Your favourite childhood memory
Falling from a balcony

The first thing you notice when meeting someone
His or her face and attire

Most important quality in a friend
His or her willingness to be there for you – always

You know it’s going to be a bad day when…
My routine goes for a six

You’re challenged by
Nitpicking

Recently laughed out loud while…
Watching Martin Lawrence in the new Bad Boys movie

Saddened when…
Children cry and are helpless

Love has the power to…
Make or break you

Happiness is when…
You get to put your feet up with family and friends at the end of the day

Sri Lanka will have a chance to develop when…
I’m not too sure where to start…

Dream for the country in the future
To see Sri Lanka lift a Cricket World Cup again

The world is…
Moving very fast – it’s scary

Message of positivity
Everything can be replaced except family – so look after them

Goal for the future
To focus more on my health and fitness

PICK ONE

Memory skills on a scale of 1-10
Hmm… between 5 and 7 (I think but my wife thinks it’s -2!)

Most productive in the morning, noon or night
If it’s for work, I am productive in the morning

Tea or coffee
Coffee

Savoury or sweet dishes
Savoury – and having a sweet tooth is a big problem

The most delightful phrase you can think of
‘Oh wow!’

Fictional character you’d like to have as your mentor
Harvey Specter (from Suits)

Documentaries, fictional TV series or reality shows
Fictional TV series such as Suits and The Crown

Solitude and quiet moments, or social gatherings and parties
It depends on the day and time

A day at the spa, a cosy day at home or an adventurous getaway
A cosy day at home

Coastal, mountainous or desert landscapes as vacation destinations
Coastal… but mountains are a very close second

Your most used word or phrase
‘Take the bull by the horns.’

Work out preferences
Jogging at Independence Square

Motto in life
Enjoy the moment