LIFESTYLE
Chamika Karunaratne
In conversation with Nirmali Ameresekere
JOURNEY OF LIFE
Birthday
I celebrate my wisdom… not my years
Alma mater
Ave Maria Convent
Family members
Father, mother and brother
Wanted to be
An interior designer
Is
A hotelier – and absolutely loving it!
What drives you?
The desire to constantly learn and improve
And what fuels your creativity and passion?
Curiosity and the excitement of discovering new ideas
A moment you would like to go back to
A conversation that changed my perspective – it’s rare but those moments are worth revisiting
Best advice received
Trust the process even when it feels uncertain – the journey is where the real learning happens
INTIMATE AND INSPIRING
Most unforgettable event
The first time I stood up for myself in a challenging situation
Your life in a movie title
The Pursuit of Happyness
Unexpected source of inspiration
Conversations with strangers
Role model
My mother – for showing me what strength truly looks like
Proudest achievement
Stepping into a leadership role where I built a high performing team from the ground up
UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL
A daily practice
Creating a to-do list daily to stay organised and focussed
Impressed by
Those who manage to balance high pressure careers while maintaining strong personal relationships
Happy place
Always home – where I can truly relax, be myself and feel at peace
Unique talents or hobbies
Crafting personalised gifts or art projects that bring joy to others
Most adventurous item on your bucket list
Seeing the northern lights in Iceland
Goals on your bucket list following retirement
Travelling to every continent to experience diverse cultures and landscapes
Music you enjoy
Playlists that reflect different moods – be they energising beats or mellow and relaxing tunes
Most transformative book you’ve read
Atomic Habits (by James Clear)
A little-known fact about you
I love experimenting with fun and creative recipes
Legacy you hope to leave behind?
One where I’m remembered not only for my achievements but for how I made others feel
Advice to your younger self
What you lost wasn’t nearly as valuable as what you’ll gain from letting go
FAVOURITES
Day of the week
Friday – there’s always excitement in the air with the weekend around the corner
Restaurant
Smoke & Bitters
Quote
“I never dreamed about success. I worked for it.” – Estée Lauder
Local sportsperson
Chamika Karunaratne – a great name, don’t you think?
International sportsperson
Richie McCaw
Likely retirement destination
A peaceful and scenic location (like a quiet coastal town or serene countryside)
COMPLETE THE SENTENCE
When you dance, you look like…
A dancing queen
The first thing you notice about someone is…
His or her eyes; or the warmth of his or her expression
You know it’s going to be a bad day when…
Things start off on the wrong foot – like waking up late
You’re challenged by…
Balancing multiple priorities especially when they all demand your attention at the same time
Love has the power to…
Transform lives, heal wounds and create deep connections
Sri Lanka will have a chance to develop when…
Political corruption is addressed and overcome
The world is…
A vibrant mosaic of colours and experiences
Your message of positivity in these trying times is…
Believe in the strength of collective efforts
One goal you have for the future is…
To make a meaningful impact through an initiative that aligns with my passions
PICK ONE
Memory skills on a scale of 0-10
Eight – generally strong with room for occasional improvement
Most productive in the morning, noon or night
Night – I find I’m most focussed and creative
Eating outside or cooking at home
Eating outside – for the experience
The most delightful word you can think of
Family
A fictional character you’d like to have as your mentor
Hermione Granger – for her wisdom
Your most used word
Absolutely
Motto in life
Never stop growing
