Tag: Feb-Mar 18

Praveen Dhanasekara: Making His Mark in the Fashion World

Before Praveen decided to pursue fashion, he was reading for a degree in Computer Science at the University of Peradeniya. He has come a long way since then and his professional approach to his career is a very admirable and rare quality. We caught up with this dynamic young man for a chat on how he got started.

 

When Praveen First Got His Start In The Field…

I got into modelling two years ago, after participating in the Mr Sri Lanka for Mr International pageant in 2016 organized by Mr Brian Kerkoven. I got selected to the Top 10 and I haven’t looked back ever since.

 

Titles Won By Praveen…

I represented Sri Lanka in the Man of the Year competition held in Pekanbaru, Indonesia in 2017, in which I won ‘Mindful’, a title which is awarded to the contestant who works on the conservation of nature. In the same competition, I was placed 4th in the Best Physique and 5th in the Best National Costume categories.

 

Praveen’s Most Memorable Shoot…

The shoot I did for a new and upcoming brand called Ocaloca. I had the opportunity to model along with one of my favourite Sri Lankan actresses and it was really fun to work with that crew.

His Philosophy in Life

If you feel like doing something, go for it and give it a try; without trying, you will never know whether you will be good at it. At the end of the line, we will remember what we did and the risks we have taken.

 

The Biggest Hurdle He Had To Overcome Since He Started His Career…

I was more into bodybuilding before I started modelling. When I did, I was told that I was too big to be a model, so I had to cut down my weight. I had to lose around 20 kgs before participating in the Mr Sri Lanka pageant, and I had to do it within a very limited amount of time. That was indeed a huge challenge.

The Pros of Being a Model…

You get to meet a lot of people from all walks of life, get exposed to many things and learn a lot. The best part is that you can be a role model to some people which is satisfying and at the same time gives you the feeling of responsibility.

What He Thinks Is The Biggest Misconception About The Male Modelling Industry…

That male models are not serious about life and relationships…it’s something every male model has faced. Male models can be outgoing, friendly and easy-going. But at the same time, they do work hard for their carrier, family and relationships.

 

Praveen’s Other Passions Outside Of Modelling…

I’m into fitness. It’s something I’m really in love with.

 

How He Stays In Shape…

I always make sure to do my gym sessions. I train 5 days per week. But that’s half the task. I always try to eat on time and have a proper sleep.

 

His Plans for the Next Five Years…

I am currently doing my Master’s degree in the USA. So my plan is to work on my career in the next five years.

 

Follow Him On…

You can follow me on Instagram: dan_praveen and on Faceboook: Pravèn Dhanasékara

 

Written By Michelle Alles

Upcycling: Easy On The Soul

It’s nice to see more people understanding and appreciating the noble concept of upcycling today. It’s even better to see people loving and wearing ethical clothing, accessories, shoes and using bags and home décor which look sophisticated and classy, and are easy on the environment, hence my headline.

 

Lonali Rodrigo’s products are designed for someone who not only cares about the environment but also wants to send a message to the world with what they wear. Her story is inspiring because it recounts determination and hard work from a teenager who wasn’t afraid to take risks, refused to give into challenges and was unfazed by convention. Today, she’s built up a sought-after brand and she can smile, knowing that she has done and continues to do everything in her power to take upcycling to even greater heights.

“When I was younger, I initially wanted to be a vet (mainly for the love of animals), or an architect, however I ended up dropping both ideas. I always knew I was creative, so after my A/Levels I had to make the big decision of whether I was going to use that creativity for a career, or just a hobby. That’s when I chose Fashion Designing. I discovered that having qualifications in Fashion Design went a long way towards building a strong foundation in the industry today, so I started my degree at the Academy of Design,” she reminisced.  “It’s sad to see that designing has become an option for those who think they have no other career options. It shouldn’t be a backup for someone who can’t enter Medical College! Fashion Designing is not about sewing a dress and show casing it on the ramp. There is so much more to it and what you need is the interest, the passion and the determination to succeed,” she stated.

 

Lonali’s self-named brand, House of Lonali, had been ready since her second year at college. “I got an opportunity to showcase at a trade show in London called Esthetica and I had to submit a collection as an existing fashion brand/business from Sri Lanka. I was competing against professionals who I admired and I consider that in itself was a significant achievement for me personally. I really enjoyed building my brand and going through the process of starting up a business and was lucky enough to be mentored by a few specialists from the UK who are world-renowned ethical designers and Ajay Amalean from MAS and last but not least, my professors at AOD,” she said.

 

Lonali’s work has had a tremendous amount of exposure in the fashion industry. Her collections have appeared at the Sri Lanka Design Festival (for which she won the Ethical Fashion Award in 2010), Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week and numerous other fashion ramps. In 2013, she also won the Sustainable Designer and the Emerging Designer Awards at the Sri Lanka Apparel and Fashion Awards. Lonali plans to showcase more of her creations locally and internationally in the future. “It’s about communicating your story and who you are as a character and your design philosophy. I’ve showcased House of Lonali as the first upcycle brand for fashion and accessories in Sri Lanka and I’m proud of how many people value the concept of upcycling today,” said Lonali.

As part of her internship, Lonali undertook a project in Gampaha with the cottage industry weavers and recounts this as one of the best decisions of her career. “I learned a lot about myself as person and from there, I started working with other communities in Jaffna and in the South. I worked with people who make batik, beeralu, hemp and palmyrah craft and coconut shell products. I realised I was good at merging my creativity with what they know and turning out products that were not only creative but would be good for their respective livelihoods as well. They are very simple people; after staying in their homes and seeing how they lead their lives, well the experience was just so humbling. I would count these moments with them as some of the best in my life and my career,” she said with a smile.

 

Lonali also added that she really values being a part of The Design Collective. “We’re all together for the same purpose and that brings us closer. It’s great to be selling alongside so many other good brands…the other designers are really fun and it’s lovely to work with them all. We all think alike and that encourages amazing teamwork,” she noted. Lonali has also started retailing in UK and Sweden recently.

“We still have a long way to go to eliminate fashion pollution. We need to see more people pursuing ethical fashion trends to really make an impact on the environment. In terms of the apparel industry, we are way ahead, but in terms of fashion, we’re doing well, but we still need to shift to a higher gear,” she concluded.

 

House of Lonali’s products are available at The Design Collective, 28 Stratford Ave, Colombo 06.

 

By Michelle Alles

Simple is Beautiful

 

 

Nithiesha Jayasekera is beautiful both inside and out. How do I know this? Because every time I have had the privilege of meeting this young lady, she has exuberated confidence, poise, grace and above all simplicity. These are the very attributes that her clothing line “Nithiesha” portrays.

“Starting from a young age I have always admired the simple things in life. To me simplicity has always been the most beautiful things. This is why my clothing line and the collection consists of basic silhouettes which would suit all body types. It is also an embodiment of who I am and who I strive to be daily”, says this vivacious young lady who is one of the many young designers to be featured at The Design Collective (TDC).

 

Even though design is not what Nithiesha studied while at school here or at university, it was a lifelong dream that she hoped would one day find wings. “Growing up I remember looking at women who carried beautiful clothing with so much poise and grace, and thinking to myself that I wanted to create beautiful clothing like that some day. It has always been something that I would eventually get into in the long run and here I am today”, she added.

Having met the founders of TDC, Shahili Gomes and Binu Wickramasinghe through a mutual friend, Nithiesha found herself right at home when they gave her the opportunity to create an exclusive brand under her own name. “When I got the opportunity to include my work at TDC I had already established a brand called Nithie, but this collection would be exclusive to the store”.

 

Describing the TDC collection, Nithiesha says it consists of a range of cottons that are best suited for the island lifestyle. “This collection is also one that is suitable for all age groups and one that you could either dress up in or dress down!”One glance at pieces from the collection speaks volumes to how much understanding the designer herself has of the typical young, island woman who lives a simple but fun and fulfilling life. Inspired by the natural beauty of nature and its elements Nithiesha’s collection consists of rudiments such as frills, capes etc. that give her clothes an extra sense of sophistication.

Colombo being the modern metropolis that it is today has seen a recent outburst of designer brands. It has also brought on the advent of many young designers setting up shop. TDC has provided the ideal platform for young designers like Nithiesha to display their own personal style and brand, while creating a name for themselves.

 

“I’ve come to realize in a very short period of time that fashion is a very demanding industry. With the designer stores emerging it gives new designers like me the opportunity to showcase our talent. I believe that it has become reasonably easier for us than it was a few years ago, but that has definitely not diminished how competitive it is out there. The industry has opened doors for many new names to retail their products and the new platforms we have are such a boost”, said Nithiesha in response to a question about the industry that she has just entered.

“Nithiesha” unlike any other brand focuses solely on different types of cottons and simplicity. The silhouettes themselves are very basic making it easy to wear. “As I said earlier I believe that there is sophistication in simplicity, therefore my style would be minimalistic and simple. I don’t really like being over the top and that’s exactly what my collection portrays”.

 

The “Nithiesha” collection is available at TDC No 28 Stratford Ave, Colombo 06.

 

Information:

Full Name: Nithiesha Jayasekera

DOB: 21st March 1995

Alma Mater: Stafford International School and the British School in Colombo

Fashion Icon: Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis

Best Dressed Male: Tom Hardy

Best Dressed Female: Victoria Beckham

Life Quote: “Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication” – Leonardo da Vinci

 

By Nishu Hassim

Fine Dining Done Right!

Many restaurants in Colombo claim to be “fine dining” but in all our food adventures, we have come across far too few that actually live up to the expectations. And then there are those who make no such claims, but surpass expectations in every degree. Botanik by Cantaloupe and Co. is one of the latter and we were more than glad to pay a visit to.

The culinary expertise behind this buzzing bistro & bar comes from Chef Rishi Naleendra, a brilliant young Sri Lankan Chef who incidentally just won his first Michelin Star for his restaurant Cheek by Jowl in Singapore, which is famed for its modern Australian fare. Although we missed meeting the maestro himself, we did have the privilege of being served by a team that exudes professionalism and courtesy.

Botanik boasts two seating options in the form of an open air bar that overlooks Colombo’s evolving skyline or an air-conditioned interior that with its low lighting and exotic murals just makes one feel like you just entered a completely different world. Then there’s the show kitchen where the world-class chefs prepare every dish with minute precision. If pictures could tell you how much effort goes in to each dish, we believe our pictures do not do the trouble justice.

If there was a downside for us during our whole visit it was only that the drinks menu was not extensive enough. Let’s just get that out of the way before we tell you about how amazing the food was.

For starters we picked the Roasted Beetroot served with Hummus, Wild Rice and Date Dressing and the Poached Chicken Salad which comes topped with Satay Sauce, Wombok and Cucumber. The best way to describe the Beetroot Dish is “Divine”. For those who don’t particularly prefer vegetables this dish has the ability to change your mind forever. The beetroot chunks are well seasoned and mixed with the hummus is just melt-in-your-mouth. The wild rice adds a nice crunch to it, especially when it’s all mixed up together with the sweet and tangy date dressing. If you love your Malaysian food then the chicken salad will definitely be a favourite with the thick satay sauce combining all the ingredients well together.

Despite the menu being concise, Botanik does have options in terms of various meats and preparations. For mains we had the Braised Lamb Shoulder with Roasted Carrots, Watercress and Mint and the Confit Duck Leg with Five Spice Caramel and Charred Cucumber. Don’t ask us to pick the better of the two because right from the presentation we were hooked on both. Well, maybe the lamb was just a tad bit better since the meat was better done that the duck. We loved what the five spice caramel sauce does for the duck though making it a burst of flavours in your mouth.

If you are at Botanik for drinks, then we highly recommend their Chilli Salt Calamari. Don’t go expecting the typical HBC because that’s not what this is. With a dash of lime and all that chilli this is the perfect accompaniment to your favourite drink. You can also opt to try it out as a side dish to your mains.

If Botanik decided to only serve dessert one day, we would still go there on a weekly basis (daily if we were allowed to!), just to try their Buffalo Curd Parfait topped with Salted Kitul Caramel and Toasted Cashew. We have no words to properly describe this dish. Looks wise it doesn’t look as great as everything else that comes out of the show kitchen but boy does this taste good! Goes to show that you should never judge a book by its cover! We will not attempt to describe in words just how good this is, so simply go there and try it!

One of the best parts about Botanik is the affordability. All these beautifully presented meals do not come with a hefty price tag and that means anyone can enjoy an amazing meal, in a wonderful ambiance in the heart of the city.

So here’s our rating… (The highest we’ve given anyone so far!)

 

Location **** (Located in the heart of Colombo!)

Ambiance ***** (Everything just done right!)

Service ***** (Superb service!)

Food ***** (Completely endorse the use of local produce and the food is done so well!)

Overall **** ¾

Reviewed by #FoodiesSL

 

Address: 7 Hospital Street, Colombo 01.

Tel: 0766 445888

Website: www.botanik.lk

Café Bagatalle – a celebration of healthy food and healthy living

 

 

Taking its name after the Colombo 03 street on which it is located, Café Bagatalle, emerges as a gastronomic haven from among Colombo city’s restaurants and cafes, for anyone and everyone in search of health food.

Conveniently situated in the premises of the Colombo’s men’s sartorial landmark – The Envoy Mansion – at the Bagatalle Road / Duplication Road angle, what sets Café Bagatalle apart is its sole focus on healthy and wholesome food and beverages. With a growing interest in health food among large numbers of Sri Lankans and expatriates living in Colombo, Café Bagatalle thus provides the ideal setting for making life changing decisions.

 

The brainchild behind Café Bagatalle is the widely travelled, Sri Lanka’s menswear guru Fouzul Hameed who himself is a fitness fanatic and a relentless advocate of healthy food and healthy living, and thus, a healthy lifestyle.

Joining this project as a consultant is Chef Rajendra Prem Kumar who brings with him years of wide ranging and rich culinary experience gained both in Sri Lanka and overseas destinations such as Germany, Vietnam, Bangkok, Hawaii, Algeria and South Africa.

 

Fouzul Hameed said that a lot of thought went into the creation of Café Bagatalle. “Our mission is to make this a holistic offering to our fellow Sri Lankans. Both men and women tend to neglect themselves after a certain age. This should not be so. The older one gets biologically, the more one should take care of one’s food and exercise. Café Bagatalle offers exactly that to its discerning customers who try to make conscious decisions concerning their lives. The Café offers everyone a chance to make healthy choices and conveniently so without having to compromise on quality and value for money”, Hameed added.

A study conducted by the World Health Organisation indicates that Sri Lanka has a prevailing problem of overweight that has affected 26.1% of its adult population. This is a problem that will continue to grow if not met with timely interventions. (http://www.searo.who.int/srilanka/lka_en.pdf?ua=1)

An improper, unhealthy diet and a general lack of interest in one’s health have been identified as the main reasons that lead to being overweight and obesity. Thus in the backdrop of a rapidly growing awareness of healthy and non-healthy food, Café Bagatalle is a timely move which offers its customers an extensive menu of healthy food and beverages with a Sri Lankan and international flavour and very reasonably priced too.

Café Bagatalle serves up a large variety of western and intercontinental cuisine with a Sri Lankan twist, all of which are prepared fresh, and to order. Each dish is planned and cooked to perfection. Intended to be low carb, and low in calories. Café Bagatalle also provides nutritional information of each of its dishes on the menu. The menu is extensive and very vegetarian friendly too. Also available on the menu are a wide range of beverages including fresh juices and smoothies, expertly concocted mixing different kinds of local fresh produce.


With ample parking in the premises of the Envoy Mansion premises, Café Bagatalle is open from 10 am to 10 pm and offers a serene and calm ambience with options for both indoor and outdoor seating. The minimally but tastefully decorated cafe is cosy and has optimised the use of natural light. It also keeps a unique fitness theme running by incorporating stability balls, stationary cycles and spinners as outdoor furniture. It is also surrounded by a lot of greenery making it a truly nourishing experience in the heart of Colombo.

Determining the Fashion Success of Tomorrow

With not one, but two labels, Maneesha Perera’s glam quotient is doubled. After discovering her love of long sleeves, I am officially a fan! Re’ra by Perera, her bridal label, also has custom designed evening dresses that range from sophisticated and refined to elegant and graceful. The embroidery on some of them is head-turning and guaranteed to stand out in a crowd. Her other brand, Lillie’s Wardrobe, belies its innocent-sounding name and its designs for casual, evening and work wear are eclectic and will definitely make a statement wherever the wearer goes.

Maneesha studied at St. Bridget’s Convent and studied Fashion and Textile Design at AOD International Design Campus. She also did a Higher Diploma in Fashion Styling in Mumbai and currently has her own design studio.

Maneesha, what made you choose fashion design as a career?

I always knew I wanted to be a part of the creative side of the world, whichever it was, and since I am a major shopaholic, a career in fashion came naturally.

 

What inspires you and how does it feed into your work?

We are surrounded by so much inspiration, sometimes we just need to open our eyes to see it. I’m inspired by almost everything. Once you have been to fashion school, you are programmed in a way to draw inspiration from almost anything around you, so whatever catches my eye is something I always make note of. When I design something, I recall them and create something unique with a touch of my signature style.

‎If you could design for someone you consider an icon, who would it be?

No one in particular, but I enjoy helping people match stuff (mostly family and friends) when they reach out for fashion advice.

 

‎What do you feel is unique about you and sets you apart from your competition?

I don’t really think too much about the competition. But having said that, I am very impressed by everyone who is in the field of fashion and they make me want to do better and step up my game.

‎Where do you see yourself in a decade?

In a decade? I see myself as a happy person who owns a successful business…or two!

 

If not fashion design, what else would you be doing as a career?

If not fashion design, I’d be an actress.

 

‎What is your first fashion memory?

Walking into AOD as a clueless teenager!

 

‎What do women, their personalities and their bodies represent to you?

Simply put, women are like swans. Graceful, though they paddle so hard and fast beneath the waters. When it comes to their bodies, I have never judged a woman for her size, as any size is beautiful; what matters the most is that she is healthy. Size or colour of the skin doesn’t define beauty.

 

Are there any aspects of the fashion industry, local or global, that you’d like to see a change in?

Yes, I am put off by a lack of originality. I believe we all get inspired, but replicating someone else’s work is something that is a big no-no, as fashion is all about individual creativity.

 

How do you start a new collection?

For my label ReRa, it’s mostly bridals and evening wear which I design for each person’s body type and preference. At Lillie’s Wardrobe, I try to keep every new collection alongside the latest trends and styles with fabrics that are more suitable for our tropical weather.

 

By Michelle Alles

An Indescribable Enigma

If someone were to ask me to list my Top 10 favourite places in the world, the Old Dutch Fort in Galle would definitely be among them. There is just something about the heavily fortified UNESCO World Heritage site built in the 1600s that keeps you coming back time and time again. You can’t really put your finger on it and say it’s the archeology, or the culture or the people or even the food…It’s just an indescribable enigma… Natalie Rogers agrees.

Natalie and her husband Liam first took up abode in Sri Lanka in 2001 and lived in Kandy. A few years down the line an opportunity opened up to acquire an old spice warehouse inside the Galle Fort. The owners had converted the property as a colonial home, but decided against living in it. The result was the opening of the Fortaleza restaurant in 2012.

Fortaleza is Spanish means strength. It also happens to be a city in Brazil. But for Natalie and her team it embodies everything that the Galle Fort stands for – history, culture and a home away from home.

Our trip to Fortaleza brought us to Galle quite late at night only to be greeted by Chandana and the staff armed with wet towels and a nice cold welcome drink. The best welcome though came from Trevor, Fortaleza’s resident cat. Well more than a welcome it was a purr, a one-eyed stare and a nose stuck up in the air that told us she was not to be disturbed (Yes, it’s a she despite the name Trevor!). Instead of being offended we were quite happy to leave her majesty to her cat nap (no pun intended!) and be escorted to our room. After all Sri Lanka’s first cat to be featured on the travel directory for cat people, “Hotels with Cats” does need her beauty sleep!

The boutique hotel has four rooms and we were shown to what’s called the “Master Bedroom”. With a view overlooking Lighthouse Street this room is best described as simplistic elegance. Retaining the rustic handmade furniture, the room comes with a large four poster bed, comfortable arm chairs to rest or read in, a semi-open attached bathroom, and my favourite divan sofa cum bed which is ideal for reading or writing about your travels while sipping on a hot cup of tea or coffee that you can make for yourself. Although the rooms are air-conditioned, we preferred the sound and the cool air emanating from the old-fashioned ceiling fan. The room is also dimly lit making it the perfect place to just unwind and relax.

We also love the fact that Fortaleza uses no plastic and is doing their part to be eco friendly. So you will only find disposable brown paper laundry bags and reusable containers in the washroom for toiletries. Even the hair-dryer is stored in a stylish tote bag made by local artisans. If you are one of those travelers looking for modern conveniences be warned that there is no television, Wi-Fi or even a telephone in the rooms. You are in Galle Fort after all so the idea is to get out of your room and explore!

All meals are served in the tastefully decorated restaurant housed on the bottom floor of the building. Seating options are three-fold with traditional dining tables, outdoor seating under garden umbrellas and bar stools overlooking a well-stocked bar are up for grabs. The restaurant itself is a stunning sight at any time of day, mainly we attribute to the right –hand side wall which has retained its original state. We are told that the stones used to build it contain a mixture of coral and “kabok” which gives it the distinct colour that light just bounces off.

The menu at Fortaleza is eclectic in its mix of cuisines from around the world. For breakfast we had a good ol’ English breakfast and were quite satisfied with the large amount of Bacon that comes with it. One of the best recommendations we have off the menu is to have every meal with Fortaleza’s version of King Coconut and Lime. We were just in love! We also highly recommend their Prawn Spaghetti, Teriyaki Chicken and the Seafood in Spicy Coconut Gravy. We must also commend the restaurant for not being shy with their portions. For dessert one must try their “Podi Banoffee Tarts” which are simply melt-in-your-mouth divine.

Service is at its epitome at Fortaleza. From Natalie, down to Ethan and the staff, ensuring that every guest is well taken care of comes naturally. They truly are a living embodiment of hospitality. Placed in the heart of Galle Fort, Fortaleza is also ideal to stay in as you venture out and explore the cobblestone streets, the historic locations, the vivid culture and the simplicity of life. A simple request at the reception (often manned by Trevor!), will provide enough information on walking tours, and whale watching and other attractions in the area.

 

Even if you choose to simply stay indoors and enjoy the tranquility and quietness of this beautiful boutique hotel, there will still be memories that you take back with you. Memories that when revisited makes you want to come back just once more.

 

Box Information

Fortaleza Restaurant and Boutique Hotel

Church Cross Street, Galle

Tel: 0773 393397

Email: reservations@fortaleza.lk

Website: www.fortaleza.lk

 

By Nishu Hassim

Photo Credit: Sanura Gunawardana

There’s Something About Kumar…

Sooriya Village was the perfect setting to wine and dine Kumar De Silva, but then again maybe not. I failed Math during my O’Levels, and maybe that’s why I lost count of the number of times we were politely interrupted by every Tom, Dick, and Harry who patted Kumar on the back, and jabbered on amiably for a few minutes or so. But this is Kumar De Silva, and this level of attention from the public is to be expected. Generation X’ers (think me) would recognize this genteel and friendly face from the Bonsoir days. What is there to write about Kumar? His face has been plastered on virtually every newspaper in the country and also on the television screen.

 

Tell me something about you that no one knows, I asked. That is how this interview started as Kumar took me down Memory Lane while gently parting the mists of nostalgia. Deprivation was a running theme in Kumar’s childhood. With two siblings in the family, his parents who were both teachers tried their level best to offer them the necessities of life. But judging by the standards of today, life in Sri Lanka a few decades ago was quite a difficult affair. How much we take for granted, I thought, as Kumar mentioned that when it came to the food they ate, eggs and chicken was a once-a-month luxury.

 

He mentioned with a smile how his mother stitched a shirt out of a batik cushion cover. Yet his voice didn’t feature any bitter nuances since he divulged that he appreciated the whole aspect of ‘not having’ in his childhood. As he says: We didn’t know what it was to have, so not having was normal. Deprivation may have been the status quo in Kumar’s life, but one thing his parents didn’t scrounge on was his education. He goes onto say that it was this investment that’s paying its dividends now.

Yet it was one story out of so many that really did grab my attention; it was one where he had to borrow watches from his neighbors when it came to his A’ Levels to time his answers; this is because his parents just didn’t have the money to buy themselves a watch. Once he finally got his first job, the first salary went to buying both his father and mother a watch each. It’s now an obsession where he has collected hundreds of watches to date, all of which are harmoniously ticking away in his closet forever reminding him of his roots, and also how long he has come in a life that started out with the bare minimum.

 

Deprivation can bring out the best in us or the worst in us, yet what was truly appreciable about Kumar was his level of empathy. I suppose it’s a case of not wanting someone to go through the same level of suffering that you have gone through that brings out kindness. This was the rationale that was warmly spreading through my neurons as he spoke of how he helped a Bonsoir office peon’s son get a decent education.

 

It was investing in education that elevated his life, and he speaks of how proud he is of his children who were cultivated to appreciate education and be lifelong learners. No one can take away your education, Kumar says. This is largely true. You may lose your house, car or belongings through various tragic circumstances, but what you have learned will always reside within you helping you offer value to society and the world. Believing in an ethos that is governed by Karma, he firmly believes that the good you do will come back to you. He speaks of how he fed a starving tuk tuk driver, and received two lucrative compering jobs within a matter of half an hour. As he dug into his pol roti and dhal, and I into my black pork curry, he spoke of his yearning for the simplicity of yesteryear where Wellawatta in the 1960s bears a vast difference from what it is today. People were certainly friendlier then, but they also had more time for each other.

I remember Kumar projecting his versatile flair through my family’s second-hand Sony television, but this was a part of him I never saw. Neither did I expect him to have the experiences that he actually had. This is real life for you: the personalities we see in media with the perfectly chosen filters on Instagram and Facebook are humans just like us. They too have struggled, and felt pain, and hurt, and joy, and sadness like all of us. This I suppose is the most endearing thing: we all are alike, enticing with our strengths and weaknesses, traversing a journey that’s filled with expectations and dreams, all with the hope of extending some warmth and compassion to our fellow human beings.

DIMO Felicitated for Best Sustainability Report; HNB First Runner Up

ACCA Sustainability Reporting Awards present fourteen awards across seven industry categories

 

Diesel & Motor Engineering PLC (DIMO) proudly accepted the overall award as Sri Lanka’s most transparent company at the ACCA Sri Lanka Sustainability Reporting Awards, which has for over 14 years felicitated Sri Lanka’s best sustainability reports. Adjudged Overall Runner Up was Hatton National Bank PLC, the overall awards formed the climax to a total of fourteen awards being presented at a gala awards ceremony presided by the High Commissioner for South Africa Her Excellency Robina P Marks as Chief Guest.  Adjudged across seven industry categories, corporate stewardship was well evidenced among a collective of nearly sixty reports submitted for the awards, led by a panel of judges headed by Franklyn Amerasinghe.

 

John Keells Holdings topped the Conglomerates and Diversified category once again and DIMO repeated this feat as well in the Retail and Trading Category, where Alumex took the Runner Up position.  HNB won the Banking Sector too, while Commercial Bank came in as Runner Up.  Aitken Spence Hotel Holdings was the winner in the Leisure & Connected Services Category, which saw John Keells Hotels emerge as Runner Up.  There were Joint Winners in the Finance & Insurance category – Union Assurance and Citizens Development Business Finance, while the Runner Up award was presented to Mercantile Investments & Finance.  Nawaloka Hospitals gained the winning laurel in the General Services (Utilities) category, with the Runner Up being MTD Walkers.  The Awards also felicitated the SME category presenting Vallibel Power Erathna with the winning award and Resus Energy with the Runner Up Award.

 

Stating that the demands of the 21st century means that companies can no longer operate in the same way as before, the South African High Commissioner said, “New tools are required if companies are to be responsive in a world that is changing. The sustainability issue is a critical consideration for boards of companies and has to be embedded in its long-term strategy. The chartered accountancy industry therefore has a valuable and indispensable role to play in Sri Lanka. ACCA’S Sustainability Reporting Awards is therefore an indispensable tool that can assist companies with its on-going relationship between the company and its stakeholders in developing strategy. In this regard, best practices from South African companies are instructive in demonstrating how companies can achieve long term sustainability, responsive to the needs of companies and society as a whole.”

 

Sri Lanka is among 25 countries globally where 3,000 entities worldwide use a predetermined methodology in sustainability reporting which falls within the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) blueprint.  Congratulating all winners who have conformed to the criteria indicators of completeness, credibility and communication, President of the Member Network Panel of ACCA Sri Lanka Adrian Perera stated that each of the winning reports had clearly acknowledged and demonstrated economic, environmental and social impacts on internal and external stakeholders.  “We at ACCA believe that if Sri Lanka is to develop itself to become the true pearl of the Indian Ocean, businesses must come up with strategies that are not only viable but also sustainable in the long run.”

 

Having observed an increasing number of integrated reports being entered into the fray, Franklyn Amerasinghe said the judges noted more strategic thinking in relation to sustainability, encouraging all organizations to move towards this approach. “A robust sustainability reporting process is ensured when an organization produces an integrated report,” he said.  “With participants adopting the methodology approved by GRI, most reports check their’s against the GRI G4 which calls for reporting on the material aspects of the business.  A new trend is to translate the performance into metrics associated with identified types of capital, falling in line with an integrated approach.  We hope there will be a movement in this direction which is a universal trend.”

 

The Panel of Judges comprised Consultant to the Panel of Judges Franklyn Amarasinghe and Prema Cooray, Sriyani Hulugalle, Dr. Kennedy D Gunawardana, Srilal Mittapala, Dinesh Weerakkody and Ramani Gunatilaka.

 

Rovini’s Secret…

One of the most interesting facets of my job as a lifestyle journalist is that I get to meet a wide array of interesting individuals from all walks of life. It’s true that I get to meet a diverse array of smart and intellectual people who are part and parcel of the millennial generation. As a member of Generation X, it’s truly exciting to see how this generation is shaking things up and disrupting everything – all in a good way, of course. Let this introduction lead the way to presenting Rovini Illukkumbura.

Scouring through her LinkedIn profile was tantamount to feasting my eyes on a mosaic of success. Starting out her career at MAS and Unilever, it was certainly inspiring to see her plot her way up the corporate ladder to thrive in the zenith of her capabilities. From Intern to Assistant Brand Manager to Brand Manager to Marketing Manager to a fully-fledged Entrepreneur in less than ten years spoke volumes of her dedication to the art of success.

All one has to do is to just tap away on YouTube to hear Simon Sinek talk about the lack of discipline that afflicts millennials, and I found that this was largely true. However, there are a great number of millennials who are very hardworking and determined. Instead of resting on her laurels and feasting on the entitlement of being part of her family business, Rovini strived to plot her own course in life.

This is something she has done quite successfully. Chatting to her at Hilton while she sipped her Pina colada, it was inspiring to listen to her talk of the tough love her father preached, and how that set the foundation for her to settle in a career that she treasured. It was hard work and perseverance that led her to become Samsung Sri Lanka’s Marketing Manager where she was again thrown into the deep-end of life.

Looking at her diminutiveness and ever-ready smile, it was hard to imagine her as a live wire. It was even harder to imagine someone this genteel could achieve so much, but that’s just a stereotypical assumption courtesy of a Generation X’er. Having been extremely persistent even in her academic endeavors, Rovini decided to study in the field of Economics at the University of Colombo. Yet what really matters in this day and age are your achievements. As a lawyer friend of mine once said: It’s never about your academic achievements, it’s all about your track record.  I believe that it really is your upbringing that leads you to be who you are, and just like her affection for hard work, and her star-class coordinated guidance of the Visakha Synchro Team, the launch of Islander was a well-orchestrated affair.

Islander happens to be another milestone in that impressive track record of Rovini Illukkumbura. The brand launch of Islander was held at Honey Beach Club at Kingsbury Hotel at the beginning of this year; the event was attended by a veritable list of celebrities and VIPs including Minister Sujeewa Senasinghe and Jalani Premadasa. Using her extensive experience in the art of marketing, Rovini conceptualized the brand identity and marketing ethos of her brand, and launched it successfully while leveraging on the power of social media.

Crafted under the tagline – ‘Inspired By You’, the Islander brand seeks to promote and cherish the authentic island experience and portrays itself as a tribute to all things Sri Lankan with a focus on Sri Lanka’s strong appreciation of community. With a list of academic achievements, and a focus on marketing and product creation under her belt, Rovini spent an arduous two years researching, developing and designing Islander. With a successful launch already out of the way, Rovini is now busy working on a varied series of independent product lines that adhere to the brand promise portrayed by Islander.

 

The Islander range of flavoured water-based beverages was created to be a potent replacement for carbonated soft drinks. Consider that age-old proverb: health is wealth plus today’s excessive consumption of sugar, and then you’ll see how sugar has got the not-so-sweet reputation of being a promoter of heart disease, cancer and diabetes. What is more worrisome is that carbonated sugary drinks have contributed drastically to global obesity levels; and, it is this insidious trend that needs to be duly combated. The Islander range offers an organic blend of natural fruit flavouring, zero sugar and no colouring; appealing to all tastebuds, the Islander range of beverages are available in four tantalizing variations – Peach, Watermelon, Mint and Lemon and Lime.

 

Besides the desire to offer a health-conscious product while delivering value to a segment that believes health truly is wealth, Rovini says that this endeavor is also an effort at inspiring the younger generation that success is something anyone can get a shot at. So what, you may ask, is Rovini’s secret to achieving success? It’s quite simple really. If you set your mind towards something, you can achieve it.

 

Written by Rohitha Perera