Tania Polonnowita Wettimuny

In conversation with Nirmali Ameresekere

What is a typical day like for you – and do you have any specific habits or routines that help you remain productive?
Waking up at a reasonable time, starting with a workout followed by a nice cup of tea, checking my emails and getting ready to take on the day!

Music that typifies your workday
Jazz

Your go-to song or playlist to stay happy during the day is…?
It depends on my mood – but definitely something upbeat

If your career were to be turned into a movie, what would the title be – and who would like playing you?
Dancing in the Rain – Blake Lively

If you had unlimited time and resources, what passion project or business idea would you pursue?
A social initiative aimed at ensuring that every child has a safe space to live, access to education and all the resources necessary to reach his or her full potential

The best piece of advice you’ve received
Stay calm!

And what is your mantra to recharge when you feel overwhelmed?
This too shall pass

An item on your bucket list that you’d like to achievein the next few years?
Retirement

How would you spend your time if you could unplug from technology for a week?
Workout, read and catch up on my movies

What other work do you think you would excel in – and why?
PR – I love interacting with people

A failure that turned outto be a blessing in disguise
Not completing my higher education – this encouraged me to work harder at my job and develop business skills that I may have previously overlooked if I’d been studying

And a guilty pleasure that helps you unwind after a stressful day
A warm bowl of Maggi noodles

Quirky habits that help you during working hours
If I don’t have any meetings lined up, I’d make a dash to the gym for a quick workout

Advice you’d give your younger self if you could travel back to the beginning of your career
Don’t trust too many people

If you could work from anywhere in the world for a month, where would you go – and why?
Home – nowhere else!

And if you could collaborate with any person (past or present) on a project, who would it be – and what would you create?
There are too many people I would like to collaborate with but it will definitely be a charity initiative

If your team members could switch roles with you for a day, what do you think they’d find most surprising about what you do?
The ability to stay calm in the craziest and most chaotic situations

One thing you hope people will remember most about your contribution to work or society
That I treated everyone fairly and equally

When you dance, you look…
Carefree

The first thing you notice about someone
His or her smile

You recently laughed out loud when…
I am always laughing out loud!

Love has the power to…
Make you feel weak

Sri Lanka will have a chance to develop when…
People prioritise the needs of the country over individual and business interests

Message of positivity in trying times
Stay grounded and focussed

You’re challenged by…
Being cornered against a wall – it forces me to think creatively and strategically, pushing me to explore solutions I might not have considered otherwise

You are saddened when…
When people are fake

Happiness is when…
I see someone else happy and prospering in life!

Memory skills on a scale of 0-10
8-9

You are most productive in the morning, noon or night?
Noon

Tea or coffee?
Tea definitely!

Savoury or sweet dishes?
Savoury

Eating outside or cooking at home?
Cooking at home

The most delightful word you can think of
Peace

Documentaries, fictional TV series or reality shows?
Fictional TV series

Your most used word or phrase
Chamari!!! (My coordinator’s name)

Tania Polonnowita Wettimuny is an entrepreneur and Group Managing Director of IAS Holdings.