Category: Features

WHAT IT IS

Katha is a mobile app that connects interesting voice content creators with listeners. Essentially a voice version of Twitter, with an interface dedicated for sending and receiving voice clips.

It’s designed and built locally and founded by Mudith Uswatta and Mahen Rathnayaka; the two are co-founders. Mahen is the CEO currently and works on it full time while Mudith works on it part time.

 

HOW IT WORKS 

Anyone can create a channel on Katha. Others can subscribe to a channel to receive the voice clips they send out. Other than messaging all your subscribers you can also send private messages to you contacts on the app.

Subscription to channels can be free or paid for. The Katha team encourages anyone who wants to run a public channel (use Katha for anything other than private messaging) to become a verified channel. This essentially means that such channels have been personally curated by the Katha team. Verified channels are indicated by a special marker on the app.

Length of messages between normal users is limited at 5 mins. Verified channels can send out longer messages.

Katha also offers question and answer channels. These channels enable subscribers to send questions to the channel owner. The channel owner can then answer them as a private message.

 

HOW KATHA PLANS ON MAKING MONEY

Creating channels on Katha is free. The team plans to monetize by taking a commission on channels that charge a fee from their subscribers (in the form of monthly subscription). The content creator (channel) will receive the lion share of the revenue while Katha takes a small cut.

Katha are also looking at partnering with brands for promotions etc.

 

HOW WE GOT STARTED 

Mudith and Mahen were friends for some time and both were interested in startups. They decided to participate in the Colombo Hackathon and pitch something even though they had no idea or any product to demo. They showed up and pitched an idea that was quite different to Katha. Some of the judges were people running the Lankan Angel Network (LAN) and they offered an opportunity in a venture capital competition that was running at the time called Venture Engine.

So they found ourselves in the middle of this competition and refined their idea based on the feedback they received from pitching this to investors and other entrepreneurs. They made it to the finals of this competition and LAN wanted to fund them by providing some seed capital to run a pilot test of the concept.

Finalizing the specifics of the deal took some time as there were various issues such as Mudith not being there full-time, some investors not being based in Sri Lanka etc. The team got the investment around May 2015 and got started; since June they’ve been developing the app.

 

WHO IS USING IT RIGHT NOW

The team is currently running a beta test with a limited test group of users. They plan to launch the app publicly in November.

They have already partnered with companies who will be their first channels. A few are research companies; they will be using it to disseminate market research using the app. Then there are channels like Yamu who will be running question and answer type of channels.

Katha strongly appeals to young musicians and bands. Local activists have also expressed interest in using the app. It was recently introduced at a conference by the head of Groudviews (a popular political blog) as a tool they plan to use next year.

Tiesh, one of Sri Lanka’s leading contemporary jewellers has entered the men’s market to meet a new growing demand. The new range, ‘For Him’, is part of the 2016 collection which celebrates the timeless elegance of sterling silver and gold jewellery, and, the beauty of natural gemstones for the sartorial man.

The men’s collection, ‘For Him’, continues with the brand’s classic sophistication mixed with contemporary designs, making the range of sterling silver cufflinks, rings, tie and lapel pins visually enthralling.

Among the new collection are also 18 Karat and 14 Karat of yellow, white and rose gold. The new range includes cufflinks, rings, earrings, chains, collar bars, tie-pins, lapel pins, bracelets and leather bracelets studded with precious and semi-precious gemstones. All items are one-off and Tiesh encourages customers to sit with their designers to create the bespoke items they desire.

Located at Duplication Road in Kollupitiya, opposite the Liberty Arcade, Tiesh is not only a jewellery store with a reputation to match. It is also an engaging and hands-on learning experience.

…by Gopitha Kiribandara

 

As Helen Keller once said, “When we do the best we can, we never know what miracle is wrought in our life, or in the life of another.” Renowned journalist, reading enthusiast, entrepreneur and aesthete Savithri Rodrigo is one such source of inspiration to all women that want to grab life by its lapels. Speaking to Esteem Prime, Savithri shares her innermost thoughts on what it means to live life to its fullest.

The clock turns all the way back to 1987, as she deliberates her humble beginnings; asserting that she started ‘quite by accident’ at the age of 21, Savithri recalls that her initial response to the bundle of joy in her arms was to be a stay-at-home mum. However as the best laid plans of mice and men rarely ever work out, she too realised that she wasn’t cut out to be just at home. “I preferred juggling domesticity with a career!” Opting for the more challenging role of working-mother, Savithri applied for an advertisement in the Daily News which asked for English News Readers for Rupavahini in 1987. “I jumped at the idea as did my husband, who poor man, was faced with a ratty wife every evening!” she jokes.

This ability to laugh at herself is perhaps one the most disarming features of Savithri’s personality. Like a poet she encompasses a holistic view of her life and doesn’t allow the appearance of things to affect her reality. Being recruited as a News reader with some of the best known names in the business such as Ravi John and Jerome de Silva, Savithri recalls, “My first foray into journalism was in television which was unusual in those days… and there was no turning back.” Whereas most women would have backed away fearing the workload and the bloody repercussions of the period of unrest of the 80s and early 90s, Savithri held her ground amidst a collapsing world. “I worked through some harrowing times during the 88/89 JVP insurrection despite numerous threats… I was the only civilian working with the members of the forces who were brought in at the time to read the news.” Her words mirror the courage and boldness that lies beneath her quirky sense of humour. Rising quickly through the ranks of her profession, Savithri’s success was ensured as she wrote and produced TV news, documentaries and aired several radio programmes for SLBC. Speaking of her entry into print media, she says, “I started with profiles and reports for corporates… the Managing Editor of LMD asked me if I would like to write a story or two for LMD and that’s how that part of it began.”

Spreading her influence further, Savithri began working at the Women’s Chamber of Industry and Commerce in addition to her stints at the SLRC and SLBC, and was part of the organization as it planned the first ever Women in Business Trade Fair. The rush of a busy schedule, instead of zapping her strength, fuelled Savithri to work harder. Never the woman to shy away from her lot in life, Savithri’s innate desire to remain occupied is evident in the words, “I can’t sit in one place for too long. When our daughter Saashya was born in 1990, I was into a thousand things including sitting for my UK exam finals five days after her birth. In fact I was due as the talk show host on Good Morning Sri Lanka with my co-host Premakeerthi for Sinhala and Kamalini Selvarjaha the Tamil co-host, the morning she was born.”

A doting mother and a caring wife, Savithri carries a great sense of duty to always do her best for her family. Despite an increasingly busy schedule, she stands as the ideal role model for all women who wish to balance their careers and their home life. Speaking further she adds that she loves to prepare the family meals, because it helps to ‘ground her’ in reality. “The children always had me around as my work times were quite flexible or even if I had to go to SLRC or SLBC, I would take them with me,” she expresses quietly, adding that she is lucky to have a husband who was supportive of her career moves. “My husband is surely my rock…not forgetting the numerous times he has dropped and picked me up from assignments, including hiding in the car with our son, who was just three during the insurgency, waiting to pick me up after reading a news bulletin, as the whole newsroom was under threat at the time,” she voices with gratitude.

The conversation turns towards Stratyx Promotions & Media Concepts and it is with a rare sense of satisfaction that she speaks of how it all came to pass. Wishing to create a business of her own so that she could spend more time with her children without compromising on the excitement of a career, Savithri claims that Stratyx Promotions & Media Concepts (Pvt) Limited and Stratyx Write (Pvt) Limited was the brainchild of her husband. The companies, which were launched 24 years since, aim to maximizes a client’s exposure in financial, administrative and corporate social responsibility spheres; their services include Integrated Public Relations and Media Services in mass and social media, Management, supervision and coordination of events which include total logistics, entertainment and networking, Internal Communications, Community relations, Corporate Training and the conceptualisation, formulation and writing of annual, sustainability and integrated reports and other corporate image building electronic and print avenues. The company collates the experience of two decades since its establishment, and is Savithri’s proud legacy to the world.

Her words carry the power to make a person think, to sit back and take stock of life, and ponder the worth of human existence. Her success, which she credits to hard work and determination, is grounded on a never-say-die attitude that strengthens Savithri to strive for the best; winning numerous awards acclaims for her achievements, she attributes it thus; “Each award I’ve won has been exciting but it has also driven me to look inward and see what I need to do to improve. I don’t compromise on the quality parameters I have set for myself so no matter how luring a project is, if it means compromising my values or the quality of my work, I would rather stay at home and read a book.”

Reading has indeed played a pivotal role in shaping Savithri’s views as an individual. While her passion lies with people and work, the introvert in her loves to dwell in the world of arts and literature. A self-professed fan of the theatre, Savithri spares no expense in her appreciation of a good stage play. In her own words, “An unforgettable moment has been Shakespeare in the Park at a performance of The Tempest last year at Central Park with Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Sam Waterston and Charles Parnell.” The witticisms never cease as she affirms that Broadway and The West End shows have left her ‘as poor as a church mouse sometimes, but well worth it!’ A travel enthusiast, she also loves to hop on a plane and wander where her heart takes her. “I enjoy walking around places, imbibing ways of life, the architecture, art, culture and the music. Nothing like it!”

Regarding the twists and turns that life has had to offer, she is eloquent and forthright in her revelation that even though the road has rarely been a smooth one, the speed bumps have nonetheless allowed her to grow as a person. She recalls a harrowing experience regarding her son who was suffering from a neuro problem at the age of 12; “His survival in the next few days was a 50:50 chance. The day our son was getting a lumber puncture, which was traumatic enough given that we didn’t know what was wrong with him, my father in law, who had been paralysed for about two years with Progressive Supranuclear Palsy, passed away. We had to organise a funeral and contend with a sick child who was at death’s door.” This chilling tale has a happy ending however, as Savithri learnt the value of keeping her faith in dire circumstances. A month of trauma suffered only strengthened her faith in God; she believes that a miracle ensued as her son was cured of all symptoms. “To this day as Sashan shows no sign of any of what he experienced and has made us proud with a degree in engineering and a double Masters,” she gushes, adding her heartfelt gratitude to the people that made it possible, Professor Stella De Silva and Dr Colvin Samarasinghe. The realization that materialistic values can wither away in a second, leaving nothing except faith in one’s heart has strengthened Savithri as an individual.

As a career woman and journalist, her mantra in life is to “Work hard and enjoy what I do. If you don’t like what you’re doing give it up and start something that makes you passionate and joyous. Most of all, be happy and don’t try to change what you cannot change, instead, adapt and make the most of it.” Ever the optimist who believes that the glass is always full, Savithri regards each day as a learning experience. “Never think you know everything. Hard work, doing your homework and not making a mistake twice is the trick. Learn everything you can about the subject you are dealing with.”

She also considers gender equality as a concept that needs to be used for the benefit of women; addressing the issue from her clear perspective she states, “On being a woman, I always believe there’s a ying and yang and we need men in our lives too. Women and men together make a whole. Work with the men to get what we want would be my ethos.” Her views thus expressed, Savithri continues to make the world a better place. Her story is one of a kind, her words weave magic and her personality creates confidence in others… with a zeal for life that can be envied by women half her age, Savithri Rodrigo is truly the face of inspiration to the modern Sri Lankan woman.

By Uditha Devapriya

We all have our passions. They define us. We live with them so closely that despite those mundane choices life throws at us, they determine what we do and what we commit ourselves to. True, along the way we have to make decisions which don’t always conform to what we like, but those passions of ours survive even through them. Mahika Chandrasena, Director of Marketing Communications at Galle Face Hotel, clearly has understood the importance of all this. She talked to ESTEEM. She reflected. We listened.

To start things off, how would you describe a typical day at work?

Sure. First of all, I follow a critical path embracing and integrating a wide range of activities. I plan, schedule, and document. Given the nature of this industry we are in, however, there can be one-off ad hoc requests which crop up. We have to deal with them as and when we encounter them. So yes, all in all a typical day is routine for me. It’s also fun.

What do you think is the biggest challenge for someone in your line of work?

To be honest, there are five big challenges and it’s hard to list them in any order. They are

1. The global financial crisis, which basically hits our customers in a way that makes over the top expenditure a waste sometimes,
2. Competition, which compels us to slash our rates to attract customers sustaining a minimum base,
3. Differentiating this hotel from the rest by creating new product offerings,
4. Widening the range of activities our customers can look out for, and
5. Keeping a tab on social media to ensure that our image isn’t affected and to update ourselves on the latest trends in the industry.

How do you engage with all these?

By being resilient. By facing the drastic changes this world is facing. By focusing on technology and innovation. And by finding the right talent to fit the right role.

In this industry you have to meet a lot of people and meet a lot of deadlines. How do you manage all that?

Simple. I consider everything I’ve encountered in my career so far as a choice, a decision, or an opportunity. On the other hand I always choose in favour of my passions. How does that work out? Well, when I do that, my interests become an integral part of the choices and decisions I make and the opportunities I see in everything. Not that I have the same interests all the time, but while interests may change passions don’t. That is how I look at life and how I look at others, so much so that I delegate work to my team members knowing what each of their passions are.

How did you get into this industry?

I chose travel and tourism because I felt that it ran in my veins. So from the beginning, I placed value on my education and learnt about hospitality, travel, and tourism as much as I could. In fact both my Bachelors and Masters Degrees are from these areas. I came into the hospitality sector later, after much soul-seeking.

How do you manage to balance your career and your life?

That’s tough. I admit I haven’t been able to strike out a perfect balance. I think we focus our energy on balance too much, besides. We should be more concerned about prioritising, on inculcating patience, on being perseverant, and on inculcating faith in what we do. It’s then that we realise that life is more than just being a workaholic. It’s about being passionate, about discovering self and exploring the many facets life opens to you. I sport a motto wherever I am: Love what you do and do what you love. I follow it to the best of my abilities. I haven’t failed.

Time for some out of the blue questions. Who are your top three role models?

Firstly, Erin Brockovich. I consider her to be a modern-day David who loves a good fight with today’s Goliaths. She thrives on being a voice for those who can’t yell. She is a rebel. A fighter. A mother. A woman. In short, me.

Secondly, Leigh Anne Tuohoy. She reminds me of my mother: she inspires you but then she can be a firecracker too. She had a career but focused her energies on finding Michael Oher a home. Strong-willed she was, wore different hats, and didn’t limit herself to being only a mother and nurturer but also a wife and housekeeper who went out there and worked. Her words of wisdom are: I’m not a big women’s liberation person, but I do think that women have to contribute to all aspects in society.

Thirdly, Chris Gardner, the Founder and CEO of Gardner Rich and Co. He represents to me a true rags-to-riches saga. A person who journeyed through sadness, tragedy, grief, and happiness, who obtained strength to continue what he did and went on to be the success he is today.

If you could go back in time, what period would you go to?

Not that far. I’d say 2013 and 2014, because back then I was more spiritual and wiser.

You have three wishes. What are they?

Firstly, that I had another child in 2005, since that would have changed my life today. Secondly, that I see my son through College so that he has a career he can be passionate about to look forward to and so that he can be a happy and spiritual father. And thirdly, that I become more spiritual and that I inculcate more patience.

What are your current plans and what are your (not so distant) future plans?

I plan to enjoy life to the fullest and do good deeds unto God and then see my son derive happiness from whatever he does.

Any words of wisdom or points to ponder, looking back?

Yes. Respect yourself enough to walk away from ANYTHING that no longer makes you joyful. Happiness isn’t a destination you reach at the end, but a way of life that colours the moment. Remember that.

The art of creating something out of nothing, organizing interior spaces to look and feel above and beyond, and matching colours with moods and moments is not something for the fainthearted. In fact many of the greatest names in the architectural and interior design spectrum spend countless hours and months if not years creating just one room. Perfectionism is commonplace amongst these master craftsmen and Sri Lanka as a nation has been blessed and recognized for some of the world’s best. From the Bawa’s to the Balmond’s this little paradise island is dotted with spectacular works that tell many tales of their creators.

Among the modern generation of these artisans is Lalin Jinasena. Known at first as a hotelier, Lalin began his career in hospitality by managing two hotels belonging to his father’s company, the Jinasena Group. However, his passion for design was prominent from an early age. Lalin’s keen eye for everything design has been sought after for many years. Since 2004 he has been handling private clients, and with the growing demand for his work both locally and globally decided to launch his own design company/studio “Lalin Design” in 2015.

However his latest venture is an extension of design itself in the form of a stylish yet affordable furniture store. SPACE caters to home, offices, retail venues or hotels. Located at No. 221, Dharmapala Mawatha, Colombo 07 the latest store stocks modern furniture that has been handpicked and sourced by Lalin himself from around the world. Each piece is unique and suits the modern metropolitan lifestyle that Colombo is soon evolving into.

The statement piece furniture at SPACE is made up of leather, fiberglass and other sustainable yet strong materials. They also embody a sense of elegance which can be matched with the personal style of the purchaser. One can also find plush rugs, ornamental pieces not found elsewhere in Sri Lanka, signature mirrors, designer light fittings from around the world and a distinct collection of Lalin’s own photography to complement and complete the perfect home.

Office furniture is also among the extensive range of products available for SPACE for all those new age entrepreneurs who wish to reach Google and Facebook standards of office interiors. Thus Lalin’s clientele is not limited to individuals but also extends to property developers, hoteliers, restaurant and café owners who want their establishments to look and feel different to the plethora in Colombo.

A budding young entrepreneur, perhaps the best known landmark in Lalin’s career is his own multi awarded Casa Colombo, a private boutique hotel with 12 designer suites, restaurants and bar housed within a grand 200-year-old mansion in Colombo. Lalin acquired the historical building in 2006 and restored it in only 8 months. He also designed every piece of furniture and decor himself, solely using craftsmen and materials from Sri Lanka. Among some of the other great undertakings that are benchmarks around the country are the Casa Colombo Collection Mirissa, the Mahout Adventure Club, Michelle Therese Atelier Store, Oceana Apartments and Villas, the Odel Boulevard and Ladies Dressing Rooms, Park West Apartments, Juce Hotels and the Royal Lotus Hotel. Lalin has also designed homes, villas and apartments for some of the best known names in Colombo.

Casa Colombo was voted “The Best Design Boutique Hotel in the World” in 2012 by the Boutique Hotel Awards, and also “Sri Lanka’s Leading Hotel” in 2011 at the World Travel Awards, and won the 2011 Asia Pacific Hotel Award Prize for Best Interior Design. It was also awarded the Certificate of Excellence from Trip Advisor for 2011. Casa Colombo is a Conde Nast Hotlist Hotel and has been praised for its interior in publications such as Wallpaper, AD, Elle, Harper’s Bazaar, and In Style.

Meanwhile Lalin’s Casa Colombo Collection was awarded the Country Winner for Luxury Design Hotel at the World Luxury Hotel Awards 2015 2. It was also named Asia’s Best Classic Boutique Hotel at the Boutique Hotel Awards 2014, Asia’s Leading Business Hotel at the World Travel Awards 2013, Best Small Hotel and Highly Commended Hotel Interior at the Asia Pacific Hotel Awards 2013. Casa Colombo Collection in Mirissa was also named Asia’s Best Beach or Coastal Boutique Hotel and Asia’s Leading Boutique Resort at the Boutique Hotel Awards 2015 and World Travel Awards 2015 respectively.

Under his group – LM Jinasena & Co. are a host of other businesses which include Gonuts with Donuts, Chop Chop Kottu, Lalin Design, Lalin Gallery, and the newly opened Juce Hotels.

 

A voice for wildlife. A project that came to life late last year, has come a long way in a short span of time, with numerous meetings with authorities in trying to bring about positive change in the park, carrying out different projects and public awareness campaigns carried out on different media platforms.

The problems faced by Yala are tremendous, all man-made. Yala is home to the largest concentration of leopards in the world and yet it seems as if we as a country are doing nothing to look after it and its star attraction.

The key issue faced by Yala, to sum up all its problems, is over visitation. Due to the severe numbers entering the park, this has led to ‘traffic jams’ leading to the park and in the park.  Because so many vehicles are within the park, when one jeep spots a leopard, all others get informed of it and everybody rushes to get a glimpse of the cat, resulting in either the death of other animals or a leopard itself.  Even though according to paper there is a speed limit inside the park, a fact as hard as cement in Sri Lanka is, that 95% of our people do not adhere to road rules and regulations let alone inside a national park.

The team behind A Voice for Wildlife consists of a group of young individuals who feel very passionately about wildlife and are keen to bring about change in the park and thus working with all relevant groups who also have the same ambition. We feel that our generation should be the one to make a positive impact and we must act now.

The group is spearheaded by Charindi Ranasinghe, who together with a couple of other girls got a petition started on Change.org that garnered more than 5000 signatures. This was merely the start.

As days went on the team grew, with the members contributing in different ways, strengthening the proposal to save Yala.

Some of the projects carried out by A Voice for Wildlife are:

Social Media.

Today everything is about Facebook. In fact the starting point of this project was after seeing the pictures of dead animals in Yala circulating on Facebook which drove us to where we are today.

Through our page our key aim is to create awareness though compassion. One of the highlights of our page is that we carry out important wildlife and nature related messages in all 3 languages for maximum reach without any barriers.

Print and Electronic Media.

From time to time, we use these forms of media to keep the public aware of the situation in Yala and we as a people can do. By simply informing people there is a problem, we can create empathy.  Without empathy, no good cause can be achieved.

Ground Work.   

In order to get more ground information, a team representing A Voice for Wildlife carried out a project in Yala in January to clean the garbage inside the park in the Patanangala area with the permission of the Department of Wildlife Conservation.

What the team discovered was indeed shocking. Garbage overflowing for as far as the eye can see. Garbage thrown everywhere including diapers, sanitary napkins and bottles both glass and plastic. All of this particular garbage has been thrown by none other than our own people. This was not the only thing our team discovered.

The lavatory facilities in the park were nothing short of appalling. There were sinks with no taps and as people were using the jungle as their toilets, parts of the area made it impossible to breathe.

Our team has submitted a detailed report on how to overcome these issues.

Wildlife Exhibition.

An exhibition is to be held in the future featuring photographs taken inside Yala and other national parks to raise money for the solutions provided by us.

Last but not least, the proposal born from the petition.

16 suggestions have been outlined in the proposal and some of them include:

• Entrance to the park is limited to two sessions – morning and afternoon. Enforcement of opening and closing times to the park and penalties for those overstaying their time.
• Vehicle Speed limits within the national park roads.
• The pre-booking system should ensure that all jeeps operate at full capacity. I.e. if a family of 4 pre-books a jeep that could accommodate 6-people, 2 additional people will be selected from the online data-base. A premium will be charged if the guest requests for a personalised jeep allocation.
• The allocation of a jeep to the Yala Park Office as a patrol jeep, which will be used to check traffic conditions.

Regular patrol of the park by officials to ensure rules and regulations are being adhered to within the park

Apart from all of these, we the people have a moral responsibility from the decision of visiting the park. From the hotel/camp we choose to stay to how we travel in the park. Both local and foreign tourists have a responsibility to ensure we do not litter, we do not encourage the jeeps to speed, to adhere to the park regulations and not feed the animals. Even if nothing else, we must bear in mind that the world is full of a variety of species that must co-exist.

Every living being is interconnected to each other and if one goes extinct, it will have a chain reaction and its us who will have

Sir Ian Jennings is known for a lot of things, but the one thing I know that I’ll always remember is that axiom, which he was generous enough to share with me — One should always have dreams. Truth be told, his life certainly does seem to be the stuff of dreams. In 1993, Sir Ian Jennings landed in Sri Lanka and took on the role of Project Manager at the World Trade Centre — that bastion of the corporate world in this diminutive island.

The heart-warming part of his story is that he was enamored by this serendipitous land and chose to come back again in January 2000 — a new millennium, a new life — to stay. Nowadays, Sir Ian Jennings prefers to lounge by his own private pool, and enjoy the heady sunsets on Mount Lavinia beach while dining at La Rambla. But just like the stately old Roll Royce that stands strong and proud in its classic years in his garage, Sir Ian Jennings too is eager to approach new architectural endeavors via his company PANARCH.

Making a mental note to try La Rambla, Sir Ian Jennings led me down memory lane as he ventured far and wide into the nooks and crannies of his life to show me that it truly was a life well lived. He has never actually left England (how could anyone with all that Devonshire cream and red strawberries?) preferring to travel back and forth to enjoy the best of both worlds.

Before Sri Lanka, he worked in Nigeria and the Middle East for 12 years including 4 wonderful years in Iraq. Returning back again to England, he was elected as a Common Councilman in the City of London for many years before becoming restless for a venture. He was offered the position of Project Manager at the WTC. Being cautious about Sri Lanka, Sir Ian flew out for a weekend of discovery. It was at that time while staying at the Meridien (now known as the Galadari) which convinced him that Sri Lanka was very different to India. Galle Face with her seductive sunsets, and the hospitable nature of Lankans in general were certainly viewed as plus points.

He was of the view that there are things which are far more important than just money, and those things would be loving what you do and spending time with family. His was the first consultancy company to register with the BOI in 1998. Harking back to the good old days, with a wistful look in his eyes, he’d talk about always traveling to Mount Lavinia and enjoying the golden beach with its cerulean blue skies.

At present, Sir Ian Jennings has built a 7-unit apartment in Mount Lavinia and resides there as well. Quite happy where he is, he talks of how he is taken for walks on the beach by his two dogs. Remember how I spoke about dreams initially, well, this life of Sir Ian Jennings is what he has carved for himself rather adroitly. Although he is semi-retired, he is of the opinion that he will never fully retire since that would be surrendering into oblivious complacency, which surely would be anathema for a person of his character.

I suppose it’s an understatement to say that Sir Ian Jennings is a contented gentleman. He agreed; and stated that it’s because he was fortunate to be living life the way he wanted to in Sri Lanka. It’s home away from home for him with Sri Lanka quite British in its demeanor with a laid back style that’s very attractive. He went on to mention the helpful nature of Lankans, which is not something that’s prevalent elsewhere.

Mentioning Galadari as a favorite haunt, Sir Ian Jennings, went on to mention how a small drink (Colombo Gin is a favorite while Merlot is preferred over Cabernet Sauvignon) is always a necessity before a night out at the theatre with his dear lady friend, Averil. Another favorite of his is the rooftop of Cinnamon Red where the view is just fantastic. The Cheers Pub used to be a favorite (when they used to do a proper English-style fish and chips) too initially, and it was at this particular juncture that I found out that Sir Ian Jennings happened to the Project Manager for the Monarch as well.

Speaking of the early days when the World Trade Centre was coming up, he mentioned how he felt that Sri Lankans are very keen to learn. This is apparent in the steady growth in all sectors of the economy. Sir Ian Jennings was of the opinion that this diminutive island could become the next IT centre in South Asia mirroring the success of Bangalore. This statement is quite telling since I managed to get my hands on some interesting data with regard to the IT industry in Sri Lanka.

Consider the fact that in 2007 the BPO workforce was 4,000 while the IT workforce was north of 34,000; today the workforce is over 100,000 with the IT industry worth USD 1 billion. In 2007, the IT industry was worth a mere USD 213 million.

The current aim is to hit USD 5 billion by 2020 while offering employment to 200,000 talented individuals. However, if a forecast is to be attempted at then based on past performance, Sri Lanka is geared to beating the industry prognostications offered up for 2020.

With change certainly happening, Sir Ian Jennings, explained the stark progress Sri Lanka has made throughout the years — a change that he has witnessed with progress rubbing off in all aspects of Sri Lankan life. Steering the conversation towards hobbies and interests, I gleaned that he certainly was a sports aficionado with tennis ranking quite high.

Always a traveler at heart, he enjoys a quick weekend getaway in locations such as Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia and Malaysia. But with time running out for both of us, I just had to pop in a quick question: Favorite location of all time? Sri Lanka of course; as Sir Ian Jennings says — It is my home.

In 2015, amid a spate of atrocious corporate communication mistakes, a few things came to light: There’s a thin line between good communication and bad communication, and one wrong message — however well-intentioned it may be — can ruin the reputation of the brand involved.

Let’s take the example of Krispy Kreme, and it’s ill-advised decision to create the Krispy Kreme Klub event, which really affected the brand with its decision to have a tongue-in-cheek take on the Klu Klux Klan. The whole debacle was covered by USA Today, Fox News, and the Guardian. Social media exploded into a frenzy of activity with users posting images of KKK members with doughnuts photoshopped onto their faces.

Let’s also not forget Bloomingdale’s advert to Spike Your Bestfriend’s Eggnog When They’re Not Looking campaign, which seemed to promote date rape. Granted that these may be over-the-top examples for some, but it does show the extent to which communication can cause damage to a brand. In a day and age when the corporate landscape increasingly obeys the rules of a media-driven society, it pays to tread with caution.

So why the long harangue about PR blunders? Well, it’s merely to point at how difficult a task handling the corporate communications arm of a company can be. I had the rare pleasure of interviewing one of the trailblazers of the corporate communications field in Sri Lanka — Ms. Dinithi Somaratne who is Director Communications at The Kingsbury Hotel.

Perfection and attention to detail are such clichés, but clichés have a habit of ringing true. And in her case — all those clichés ring quite true. With a smile lighting up her face, she effortlessly took me on a journey that detailed the crafting and building of a brand that reeks of absolute excellence.

But was there ever a doubt? A doubt, that is, in The Kingsbury Hotel being anything less than excellent? After all it is the brainchild of Dammika Perera — a Lankan billionaire businessman with a visionary style that’s redolent of aesthetic class, which can be seen in every nook and cranny of The Kingsbury Hotel.

True to form, Dinithi, showed me the range of Bvlgari toileries that adorn all rooms at the The Kingsbury Hotel as an example of the quality standards they maintain. As The Kingsbury stand out and be head and shoulders above the rest it has indeed made this star-class property a formidable monolith in the hospitality industry.

With a many years under her belt working in the advertising field, Dinithi is well-versed in the formulating strategy to help steer a brand towards profitability. One would suppose that it’s this experience that helped her craft every aspect of The Kingsbury brand in-house under the guidance of that doyen of excellence — Dhammika Perera.

Seamlessly moving on from one task to the other, Dinithi went onto explain that she loves traveling (Amsterdam ranks quite high on the list!), enjoys her food, and — with a spark in her eyes — that she’s an unapologetic workaholic. It’s very seldom one would come across an individual in senior management who can conceptualise campaigns, art direct, write copy and still play a managerial role in corporate communications, public relations, sponsorships, events and formulation of marketing strategies; working both the right and left brains. Then only we got to know that she is the one who develops all the marketing communication material for The Kingsbury.

Mentioning Irwin Weerakkody who inspired her tremendously when she first cut her teeth in the field of advertising, she went on about how important it is to master your craft and to find one that makes you truly happy. One needs to be ‘formidable’ in their chosen career (Irwin’ s advice from the beginning) and Dinithi says you need to craft it in your own way to be better than the best. This is the best advice, she says, that she could give to the new generation of ambitious young women who desire to make it big in the corporate field.

Dressed with a sense of functionality and inimitability, Dinithi escorted me from the confines of her office downstairs for a cup of coffee. I couldn’t help but wonder how much of a fillip she could or would offer this brand she feels so passionate about. But it was apparent that with her effervescent personality filled to the brim with enthusiasm, I dared to see The Kingsbury Hotel through her eyes — a monument to hard work ethic, absolute passion, and complete innovation.

By: Michelle Alles

Chandi’s amiable disposition makes her very much at ease meeting people from all social backgrounds. She’s really easy to talk to and a very fun person with a wacky sense of humour, even when you meet her backstage at a pageant where nerves and emotions are running high (which is where we first met!) She is currently very busy preparing for the Mrs International 2016 pageant but graciously took time off her busy schedule to answer some questions for us.

Tell us about yourself, your family and why you love what you love?

I am light-hearted and simple…confidence could be my middle name. I am married to Muditha Weerasooriya and I have a son. My almost lifelong dream was to help children that need a family and to help them find a happier tomorrow. I am so deeply touched when I see the way they feel about me. They love they exhibit actually touches me to the core and sometimes it pierces my heart to feel all the pain and love when I work with them. But believe me, it is one of the most fulfilling experiences and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

What is your purpose as Mrs Sri Lanka?

Sri Lanka is a brand in itself and we have not fully understood our potential or learnt how to use our uniqueness in a way that matters.  As Mrs Sri Lanka International, my prime focus would be to show the world the true meaning of the ‘Pearl of the Indian Ocean’. I want to use the individuality of our own mixed cultural heritage which is not found elsewhere in the world to highlight and show the world that living in peace, harmony and mutual understanding is not just a mere dream, but an achievable goal in our conflict ridden world. I want the world to sit up and take notice of Sri Lanka, as we have something that they all will want to emulate.

What are your interests other than modelling?

I completed my diploma as a fashion designer at The Academy of Design and then did my Advanced Diploma at the London Fashion School, graduating as a fashion designer. I went on to work at many different fashion houses and while doing so, I took up studying all about makeup which was an added advantage to my design capabilities and career. Furthermore, I graduated from the Scandinavian Makeup Studio in Thailand as a professional makeup artist and gained work experience in there. It was a very triumphant moment for me when my makeup work was published in the prestigious fashion magazine ‘Rare’ in 2015. I also love sports and have participated in many different sports activities while in school; basketball, netball and athletics were among my favourites. I won national colours in basketball by representing the national basketball team at the age of 17 and count it as one of my key achievements in my sports career. I also represented the central province netball team and the school athletic team in my journey in sports.

 Who are your heroes/heroines?

The heroine of most women is their mother, as is mine. She has done her best to raise me, she made sure that I valued myself and that I should never let anyone walk over me. She is one of the most strongest women I know and the bond between us is pure and everlasting.

What are the most memorable moments in your life?

Definitely becoming a mother because it is the only way I have realized the depth of fulfilment in a woman. When you become a mother, you are no longer the centre of your own universe. You relinquish that position to your children.

Who are the 3 most important people in your life and why?

My son and my parents; they are precious and important because nothing of blood can be replaceable.

Describe your personal style.

I’d definitely say that the best way to describe my personal style is versatile. I hate conforming to a specific style because I’m always open to stepping out of my comfort zone and switching up my looks.

What are some of your main interests and hobbies?

I enjoy music and dancing. My hobby would be gardening as I love the smell of soil and watching plants grow. It is very rewarding to see the results of my work. Gardening makes me happy in so many ways.

 Name 6 things that you hope to have or accomplish during your lifetime?

1. Eat all types of different food from around the world
2. Start a movement in Child Protection
3. Learn to shoot a gun
4. Fulfil what I have carved in the woods
5. Raise a happy and healthy child
6. Grow old with the person I love

What’s the one item of clothing you wear the most?

My jeans

What are your 3 biggest achievements? 

1. My son
2. Becoming an ambassador to represent my country
3. To be able to bring a smile to another person’s face just by my presence

What’s planned for the future?

The future is never just one choice…it’s a thousand and they never stop. I will choose my future every day of my life. And if I wake up one day to find that I regret the choice I made the day before, then I make a new one. I don’t worry about whether I might be wrong someday; I worry about whether I’m right now. Tomorrow can wait.