2017 April – May – Esteem Magazine

Adventure Based Learning

by Rochelle Palipane Gunaratne

A few years back the word outbound training received a new lease in life! Gone are the days when companies or school outings were merely about singing songs, playing random games, and letting it slip out of your memory once you got home.

At present, companies, schools, and other entities invest a significant sum of money for their employees or students to hone in on developing their skills and building unity through various outdoor training programs.

Inadvertently, the number of adventure sports, and companies offering attractive training programs has increased throughout the years. Yet, it is important to dig deeper or do some sleuthing prior to investing in the best program on offer.

The proverbial “all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy,” rings true, which is the main reason for folks to optimize on these adventure programs which are a source of learning. The lessons learnt through these resonate throughout the lives of those involved and creates a stronger bond within the teams.

The tête- à- tête with Major Raajiv Wanigasekerawas, an expert in the field was an eye- opener

Major Raajiv Wanigasekera takes his role in outdoor training to heart, with honorary credentials to his name, his knowledge and expertise in this sphere makes him a linchpin in this field. He is the Founder/ Director Training & Operations, the Chief Facilitator Outdoor Training, Game Changer at Adventure Education.

He is an alumni of S. Thomas’ College Mount Lavinia and a graduate from the Pakistan Military Academy. Besides serving with the elite 4 Armoured Regiment, Sri Lanka Armoured Corps and being attached to the Special Forces, he was actively involved in conducting Military training at all levels, including mission oriented special operations. He has also held office in various command and staff and training positions.

A paratrooper and a SCUBA diver who has seen combat in many fronts, he is highly decorated for bravery in combat and has been seriously injured in the line of duty. Raajiv retired as a Major with 15 years of distinguished service.

Major Raajiv has also worked at Brandix as Head of Group communication, and as AGM HR & Administration at United Motors PLC/ TVS Lanka. Imagination, creativity and planning are his core strengths. He specializes in customizing programs to suit the clients’ need. He has over 300 training programs formulated locally and internationally to his credit. Currently, he is involved full time in Outdoor Training and also consults on Human Resource Development and Training.

He holds a degree / diploma in Military science, Disaster management & Human Resources and is presently reading for his MBA. Major Wanigasekera is one of the few Sri Lankans who qualified as a White- Water Rescue Technician. He is also an active EXCO member of S.Thomas’ College, Mt. Lavinia, and a Committee member of the Wild Life & Nature Protection Society of Sri Lanka.

Adventure Education
A passion for the great outdoors sparked Raajiv and his friend to launch their own company.

“We developed a love for nature and adventure as boy scouts, which was further nurtured by our parents. As adults we chose separate career paths, with me joining the army and he the corporate sector, yet we retained our friendship through various sports such as kayaking, camping and mountain biking as we derived immense pleasure through sports that revolved around nature.

Subsequently we developed a knack for sharing our knowledge with colleagues and friends, which gradually sparked an initiative called Adventure Education, which was launched in 2003.”

The facilitation, including team development activities, adventure and out-of-the-box corporate experiential, indoor and outdoor initiatives have led the company to the forefront in its field

A Sea of Options:
Raajiv runs his operation from a resplendent 50 acre land built and facilitated for adventure seekers. It is a natural teak plantation which provides an ideal setting for a training facility located on the banks of Maha-Oya.

The close- proximity to Colombo and easy access to the location makes it a preferred choice for outdoor training programs. In addition to top of the range facilities, the property which is named ‘Othara’ has its own in-house Chefs which concoct a variety of authentic Sri Lankan dishes, and much more.

“The campsite provides accommodation to 180 people in tents and billet type accommodation and is considered one of the biggest training facilities / campsites in the country. Apart from ‘Othara,’ we have access to many sites island-wide and the uniqueness of our operation is its “lifting capacity” as all the facilities can be moved to other locations. As in all options the client can select the most preferred site as well. We are renowned for our mobility, flexibility, adaptability, and our innate love for nature.

Our packages are customized to suit the requirement of the HR development offices in all functioning sectors from the corporate, banking, universities, schools. We give attention to detail, for instance we provide a variable, on point training which is beneficial and affordable to the customer and follow up to gain the feedback as we value the input.

We offer Experiential learning, Team building, Soft skills developments and Coaching, Adventure based activities, Zip line, Slacklining, Mountain biking, Water zorbing, Military grade obstacle course, Air rifling, Archery, White water rafting, Flat water rafting and Kayaking, Specialty activities, Amazing Race (This activity is based on a popular TV reality show. The brand is locally registered to Adventure Education, and the program can be conducted in any location island wide), Paint balling, Ultimate team cook-out, Orienteering, Backwoodsman skills training, Outdoor corporate events,

Further, we have established Sri Lanka’s first ever ATV (All- terrain vehicle), and SUV technical tracks which will enable enthusiasts to practice to their hearts content and learn the art of ‘off roading’ and the correct use of recovery gear etc.

Our programs can be customized to suit any need, from half day and full day options, multi-day options to post-event milestones and follow through.

Surmise it say, we have a sea of options for the client to choose from and it enables us to provide the most suitable package available,” informed Raajiv.

The Advantages of Outdoor Training Programs
These value- added programs manifests a behavioral change as it requires getting out of their comfort zone, and it provides a great platform for experimental learning and it is guaranteed to make you a better person. “Their thrown into the proverbial ‘deep’ with none but each other to hang on to, and they have to make a herculean effort, test their inner strengths, and endurance levels to achieve success individually and as a team.”

Safety First
“As in all matters concerning the wild, one must be aware that it comes with no foolproof guarantee of safety, yet with us there are no holds barred when it comes to safety,” stressed Raajiv. “We use a range of reputed brands and all the activities are assessed by certified safety officers. Risk taking is mitigated due to excessive precautionary measures and we are prepared to handle any eventuality having facilitator trained locally and internationally on life saving, first-aid and CPR and rope rescue ” stated he.

Our Mission:
“Our mission is to spearhead outdoor training, experiential learning, and adventure facilitation in Sri Lanka, with key focus on innovation, safety, sustainability, and customer satisfaction. With experience in designing and delivering programs, events and solutions for major international & local corporate clients and organizations over the past 13 years, the Company combines youthful energy with experienced expertise. Our strength lies in our ability to create ‘tailor-made’ training solutions as per clients’ requirements.

I idolize the methodologies of Sir Richard Branson and Robin Sharma who have shaken the thought process of the corporate world by their brand of thinking. It is clearly out-of-the-box, and out of the realm of many mainstream individuals who fail to make a statement due to archaic methods they follow. We need to muster the courage to make the change and be the change by growing with the parameters of time and opting for brand new ways of motivating our employees, students, and other subordinates in order to reach the zenith.

Most often the management finds employees lacking motivation despite the umpteenth meetings, but our programs tend to make them more productive by incorporating the learning element.

“We offer new and innovative experiences which are based on the element of fun and adventure,” concluded, Raajiv, who encapsulated the basic prerequisite for effective learning, which should always be intermingled with a spark of adventure …..

Address : Adventure Education – Sri Lanka 192/6, Robert Gunawardene Mawatha, Pelawatta, Battaramulla.
Hotline :+94 770 77 88 55
Email : raajiv@adventure.lk

Cocooned in the Hills

If my memory serves me right, my parents took me on my very first vacation to Nuwara Eliya. I have loved it since then. Everything about “Little England” as it is fondly known, reminds me of cozy and comfy. Everything a caterpillar must feel inside his cocoon before he spreads his wings and flies. This is what Royal Cocoon wants each guest to feel at their luxury bungalow.

Situated a few hundred meters away from the world famous Victoria Park, Royal Cocoon is all about warmth. Getting here by car takes approximately 5 hours but by train would add on 2 more. Those who don’t mind the lengthy journey are welcomed by picturesque views of lush green tea plantations and snowy white clouds reaching down from the heavens. Even during the month of March temperatures are between 15-20 degrees Celsius and may drop lower in the night time so it’s best to take warm clothing anyway.

We arrived in the wee hours of the morning and were hit by the biting cold the moment we stepped out of the car. The warmth and hospitality with which guests are greeted though soon serves to warm you up as much as the steaming cup of coffee or tea that awaits your arrival.

Royal Cocoon has 7 luxury bedrooms with ensuite bathrooms. Each room also has its own heater and an old fireplace reminiscent of the bygone days of the British. Hot and cold water, cable TV, Wi-Fi, tea and coffee machines in each room adds to the comfort, homely feel.

The restaurant at Royal Cocoon provides all day dining on an à la carte menu that is a mix of continental and traditional Sri Lankan wares. For breakfast we tried both varieties and were pleasantly surprised by the magnanimity of the portions served in the garden. Continental breakfast included a platter of fresh fruit, scrambled eggs on toast with sausages, waffles with honey, yoghurt and chocolate cake. Traditional breakfast on the other hand was a plate full of milk rice made with very non-traditional long grain rice, coconut rotti served with chicken curry and “lunu miris”. That was a lot of food for just two people.

Satisfied and our tummy’s full, we decided to take a stroll in the one-acre landscaped garden that also converts to a mini-golf course on request. You can also choose to read or enjoy the weather outside basking on one of the deck chairs or under the garden umbrellas. A visit to the botanical gardens next door and the famed strawberry farms is also something you may opt to do. For those who prefer to snuggle up indoors Royal Cocoon has books to read and board games to enjoy.

Lunch we decided was to be a traditional affair as we were told the chef prepared a mean rice and curry. We heard right. Steamed basmati rice was served with tempered potatoes, beans, beetroot, chicken and fish curry, “mallung” and the unforgettable “pappadam”. Despite the heavy breakfast, this meal enjoyed historically by kings and commoners alike is satisfying to say the least. For dessert you can pick from curd and treacle, a fruit platter or ice-cream if you dare. Call me boring but the only thing you want to do after lunch is take a nice nap, and that’s what I did to wake up in time for dinner.

Dinner for us was Western. A plateful of French fries, steamed upcountry vegetables and quarter of a grilled chicken was preceded by a salty vegetable broth that is the best remedy to beat the cold outside. Royal Cocoon understands that food is an essential part of a good holiday.

Reasonably priced and with service that is exemplary, this small but luxurious boutique hotel is constantly booked by some interesting guests that you will come across if you browse through their guest book. It is best to make reservations well ahead of time. One other unique thing about Royal Cocoon is that it is private and sans the hustle and bustle of larger hotels. Tranquil is probably a good way to describe it.

By Nishu Hassim
Photo Credit: Sanura Gunawardana

Box Information

Royal Cocoon, No. 2 Wedderburn Road, Nuwara Eliya.
Tel : +94 722 324091
E-mail : info@cocoonresorts.com
Website: www.royalcocoon.lk

Hellibees Racing shines with their Formula Mclarens drivers at Katukurunda

Hellibees Racing stole the show with their team of well-known Formula drivers in Sri Lanka. The Formula team comprising of Andrew Choksy, Chandima Gooneratne and Dhanushka Suraweera commanded both races with podium finishes. The Sri Lanka Super Series at Katukurunda is a premier circuit meet for the year and a highlight of the national championship with a record number of entries and participants.

The Formula Mclarens 4 event is a very competitive class comprising of the best open-wheel competitors in the Island. Hellibees Racing has dominated this event for many years with 2017 being no different. Chandima Gooneratne topped the timings on Qualifying and claimed pole position. Andrew Choksy qualified in 4^th where the top 4 starters were split between hundredths of a second.

The formula event had two races on the day with Race 1 being conducted in the morning and Race 2 in the afternoon. In Race 1, Gooneratne led from start to finish. Choksy managed to convert his 4^th position grid start to a podium finish as he claimed 2^nd place behind Gooneratne at the checkered flag. In Race 2, Gooneratne suffered a mechanical failure and did not move on the grid. Choksy managed to grab the lead and fought off fierce competition to win the final race of the day. Dhanushka Suraweera finished in 4^th position. The Hellibees Formula team had a very successful outing claiming top times in Qualifying and a 3 podium placing’s on race day.

“It was a tough race in extreme heat at Katukurunda. We had to hold back a lot and drive smart in order to get a good result. I am delighted that I was able to bring home double podiums for Hellibees Racing and keep the team flag flying’’ said Andrew Choksy, Formula 4 EFi Driver.

The Sri Lanka Super Series at Katukurunda was the first tarmac race meet of the year for the Formula event and was seen as a widely successful weekend. Hellibees Racing hopes to continue their success in the Formula class and will be seen as a top contender with their drivers once again this year.

Andrew Choksy is also a competitior in the Honda SLH 1618 class where he drives a Honda EG6 VTEC for Hellibees Racing. Esteem Prime is a proud sponsor of Andrew’s car and look forward to his racing in tarmac events this year.

Photo Credits to Maryse Navaratne

Andrew Choksy pictured with his 1^st place Formula 4 EFi trophy.

Colombo Supper Club: Gourmet Cuisine At Its Finest

Ever dreamed of having Michelin chefs craft up a five-course meal fit for a King? Well, the Colombo Supper Club does just that. The brainchild of Naserah Tyberally, this innovative idea seeks to cater to those connoisseurs of fine dining with degustation menus that are truly exceptional. Of course, quality of this standard will cost you, and it should especially since Naserah has managed to extricate some of the finest chefs the world has ever known — think Chef Rishi from Cheek by Jowl, and Chef Sun Kim from Meta — and flown down to Sri Lanka just to serve you a five-course-piece-of-heaven on a plate.

Always busy and preferring to embrace life that way, I caught Naserah at Asylum located on Arcade Independence Square for a delectable conversation peppered with insightful anecdotes that are as rare as a platter of foie de gras. You may pocket out a grandiose LKR 20,000 for what’s offered at Colombo Supper Club yet it must be mentioned that the prices do vary depending on the menus. Of course, you’d be hard pressed to find dishes such as squid ink sago, cream cheese, octopus, ikura and fennel preceding a dinner elsewhere in Colombo.

My conversation with Naserah lasted a good one hour and thirty minutes. With a background in law, it’s somewhat of a surprise that Naserah found her calling in food. But then again, the heart wants what the heart wants; and, truth be told, the fact is she along with her family are an indulgent lot. She’s at home when indulging in the weird and wonderful when it comes to food. And what could be more interesting and generous than her sharing her love for food with us.

Fortunately for her, she managed to garner the créme de la créme of partners who were piqued by the Colombo Supper Club initiative, and decided to get on board. The partners include: Sri Lankan Airlines, Jetwing Colombo 7, Wineworld, and Asylum.

I asked her whether the response for Colombo Supper Club by Colombo’s denizens has been what she hoped for. More than! — was her effervescent reply. Wearing a shimmering number from Anouk, Naserah truly is a mesmerizing hostess. Her personality is just as tantalizing as the menus she crafts with her horde of Michelin chefs, and her ready-at-hand grin is offered freely without hesitation that sets you instantly at ease.

She took me on a verbal journey across her gormandizing adventures that are too filled with details that I just can’t find the space for on these pages. A few highlights such as the love for wallaby meat, and a sliver of expensive and exquisite Japanese melon, which tasted as it has been transported from heaven’s kitchen, saturate my memory with awe.

There seems to be a evolution afoot as far as Sri Lanka’s tastebuds are concerned. With a waiting list being guaranteed every time she announces a dinner event, she talks of how Sri Lankan’s do desire adventure, and that people really want to taste different foods. This is pretty much is evident with the great deal of restaurants and eateries that are popping up around town. People truly are hungry for more, and Colombo Supper Club brings a menu of diversity and variety that Sri Lanka has never ever before seen.

Touting her family as an extraordinary support network, she states how her children have got the food bug as well. They’d be more than happy to wait hours in line near a food truck to just savor what’s new and good. The same goes to her husband who now is very much a food convert. But as always, time whittles away, and it was time to bid adieu. For those whose curiosity have been stirred, and are riddled with questions this article has not answered, you may give the Colombo Supper Club a ring on 0772 300 038.

Just as discerning tongues will be wagging with curiosity as to when the next Colombo Supper Club event will happen, I too will be following — facebook.com/colombosupperclub/ — with a growling stomach. Having missed a March event that was resplendent with Smoked Quail and Sashimi of Hokkaido Scallop, my appetite has already been whetted with a burning sense of curiosity as to what type of menu Naserah with her band of Michelin star chefs will conjure up next. I cannot wait. I’ve been told that a promise of a delectable spread awaits.

Bon appétit then? Oh yes, indeed.

Good Food… Good Life

“Ayu” in Sinhalese means “life” and is an essential part of how Sri Lankans greet each other when we say “Ayubowan” or “May you have long life”. At Mövenpick’s all-day dining restaurant it is all about good food that makes life worthwhile.

Opened at the beginning of this year, Mövenpick comes backed with decades of Swiss hospitality and inspired cuisine. Their GM Markus Marti and Executive Chef Alfred Zuberbuehler both boast years of experience in the hospitality sector and the Mövenpick chain itself. Working together with internationally acclaimed interior designers and a talented local team, the hotel’s first restaurant has been quite the talk of the town. We decided to see for ourselves why.

Situated in the heart of Colpetty, the hotel has ample parking and is easily accessible. The entire fourth floor is dedicated to “Ayu”. The concept at the restaurant is that of urban grocery stores with a lot of emphasis on fresh produce. We are told that many of the exquisite cheeses and delicatessen meats are sourced from around the world while the fruits and veggies come from local producers.

We started by ordering our drinks from a comprehensive beverage menu which now stocks everything from wines to beers to options for teetotalers like us. We picked a coconut milkshake and a good ol’ lime juice. The milkshake was well blended and didn’t taste too much of milk or coconut, but the lime juice could do with a little more lime in it.

The salad bar is our first stop and for someone who loves salad as much as I do, this is heaven on earth. The salads come from around the world and my favourites by far were the kimchi and hummus. It is also lots of fun to put together your own version of salad with a mountain of greens, vegetables (fresh and pickled) and an array of dressings. The salad bar also makes room for a deli-slicer and a friendly chef behind it who explains the various types of cold cuts amongst his wares. We absolutely love the cheese section and I could eat blue cheese till I’m blue in the face! But I had to leave room for my sushi…

This is where I was disappointed. The sushi isn’t freshly made so is pretty dry and kind of begins to crumble. Considering that “Ayu” emphasizes much on freshness, they may want to consider doing fresh sushi instead of rolls in a glass display. For those who love their seafood, the fresh cove has tons of crab, prawns and calamari nicely paired with thousand island dressing.

Keeping with the European tradition of meat-heavy mains “Ayu” has the best of both worlds. Their European corner has a lively action station with the chef preparing one-minute steaks on the day we visited. The steaks are served with either fat fries or potato wedges, and were my partner’s favourite part of the meal (him being a typical carnivore). I personally preferred the lamb with mint sauce and Seafood Au Gratin. The extensive mains buffet also has an Indian and Sri Lankan corner, served up in traditional brass and clay pots respectively. Rice and many curries or authentic biriyani could really stuff you up, so we recommend to go easy on these for what’s in store next.

Dessert at “Ayu” is a world of its own. Everyone knows that Mövenpick is known globally for their AWESOME ice-cream but despite not serving it here (yet!), the dessert display is something else. One of the first things that catch your eye is the green tea mousse cake with its shiny bright green glaze. Many people might be a bit apprehensive coz not everyone is a green tea fan, but take our word for it when we say you will be after just the first bite of this one. It isn’t too sweet and just melts in your mouth. The crème brûlée served in little tea cups is another must-try. Considering that Swiss chocolate is the best in the world, Mövenpick’s pastry chef’s pride and joy is his rich chocolate cake which they insist you try. No regrets there either.

All of the food is served with much love and hospitality, but there was a downside for us with some of the stewards being a little too enthusiastic to take our plates away even before we actually finished our meal. The food makes up for these little growing pains though.

“Ayu” is also about value for money. With such an extensive spread it’s nice to be able to satisfy all your taste buds in one sitting. The friendly atmosphere and the constantly evolving menu tells us that that this place is sure to have many regulars as time goes by. We might just be on that list too!

So here’s our rating…

Location          ****    (Mövenpick is in the heart of Colombo 3 and therefore super convenient)
Ambiance        ****    (An entire floor dedicated to the restaurant and the décor being chic and modern with a local touch creates a unique blend of East meets West)
Service            ***      (Staff are friendly but a little too rushed)
Food                ***** (Simple yet satisfying! Tip: Go 40% salad, 20% main and 40% dessert)
Overall            ****

Ratings

*****              We Love It!
****                Got It Right!
***                  Getting There!
**                    Not So Great!
*                      Needs Serious Re-Thinking!

By #FoodiesSL

Photo Credit: Sanura Gunawardana

Contact Information
Address: No. 24, Dharmapala Mawatha, Colombo 03.
Telephone: 0117 450450
Website: www.movenpick.com/en/asia/sri-lanka/colombo/movenpick-hotel-colombo/overview/

Little Adventures You Want To Hop Into!

By Michelle Alles

There’s no such thing as too much exercise for active kids and TinyHop makes sure they get just that! Situated at 3/8 Gunasekara Udyanaya, Nawala Road, Rajagiriya, TinyHop promises kids and their families an exciting experience of the great outdoors. With friendly staff, a clean and safe environment and a comfortable space to play, entertain, socialise and relax, TinyHop is a rapidly sought-after name in kids’ entertainment. TinyHop is also the perfect spot for kids’ functions and they also offer exciting package deals and customized solutions for birthday parties or events.

TinyHop was launched in August 2016 and is the brain-child of Ranganiy Hettiarachchi, Chethaka Wijesekera and Thathsaranga Dadimuni. Ranganiy and Thathsaranga having schooled together at Musaeus College, always had the passion for working with kids and saw a gap in the entertainment industry for kids in Sri Lanka. Seeing this opportunity, Ranganiy decided to get Chethaka on board knowing that he too had similar interests in opening up a club house for kids. The idea generated in mid-2015 and TinyHop was constructed and built from scratch on bare land in Rajagiriya.

Chethaka is a former student of Royal College Colombo and graduated from Deakin University with a background in International Business, Marketing and Management. He then worked as an Investment Associate for an Australian firm based in Sri Lanka. Chethaka decided to team up with Ranganiy and Thathsaranga and his business acumen has proved a worthy asset for TinyHop.

Thathsaranga has been in the garment industry for past 16 years and always had a vision of starting her own business. With her family’s support and blessings, she decided to go ahead with TinyHop by partnering with Ranganiy.

Ranganiy graduated from the University of London in Business Management and also has an MBA from Cardiff University. She owns the restaurant chain Taphouse by RnR.

Chethaka: “We see a lot of parents talking about not having enough places to take their kids out and a shortage of places to throw a kid’s get-together that provides a complete party solution. These parents happen to take their kids abroad if they need some sort of entertainment which is quite costly. After searching for numerous locations, we found this place in Nawala which was ideal given that it had a large garden area that fitted our criteria,”

Thathsaranga: “Our aim is to not just entertain kids, but also to develop other aspects of how they think. Our facility is designed for children aged 1 ½ years and upwards to satisfy their mental and physical stamina while dazzling them with fun, smiles and laughter,”

Ranganiy: “This is just the beginning of the adventure we have planned for everyone. We hope to introduce new concepts to keep up with the changing times and technology. We just launched Colombo’s first sports climbing wall in partnership with Adventure SEALS, the local authorized agent for the international climbing gear brand Petzl (France) and the international climbing walls and holds producers Entre-Prises(France). The launch chief guests were the mountaineering duo of Jayanthi Kuru-Utumpala and Johann Peiris known for the recent Everest Expedition. The climbing wall is for both adults and kids and this reflects TinyHop’s goal of offering something for the whole family,”

The Best Advice We Have Gotten

Chethaka: Have the right balance in life between work, family, friends and joy.

Thathsaranga: There are a lot of opportunities out there; look out for them and you won’t see them unless you come out of your comfort zone.

Ranganiy: If you want to be powerful in Life, educate yourself.

Advise For Young Entrepreneurs

Chethaka: Keep dreaming big, but at the same time start working toward those dreams and start now!

Ranganiy: Don’t go with the flow; be the Flow.

Thathsaranga: Always look out for opportunities. Grab them fast as they won’t come every day. Don’t be afraid to take risks and always have ‘can do’ attitude.

Divya Sivagami and Ashvini Chandrakumar win Young Speaker 2017

In an evening where twelve young people placed the talent of public speaking skills under the spotlight and excelled in all its complex dynamics, Divya Sivagami of Colombo International School and Ashvini Chandrakumar of Methodist College won the Senior Division and Junior Division respectively at the Grand Finale of the annual Young Speaker 2017 organized by The British School in Colombo and Adventus Education. Amanda Halliday of Methodist College and Uzair Kidwani from The British School in Colombo emerged first and second runners up in the Senior Division, while Yusuf Barrie from Wesley College and Shaheen Abdul Gani from Gateway College Dehiwala were first and second runners up in the Junior Division.

Showcasing extraordinary confidence and articulation of each subject with comprehension and finesse through both prepared and impromptu rounds, each student hailing from schools around Sri Lanka showed immense prowess in language, aptitude and knowledge. Based on criteria that measures demonstration of intellectual thinking and positive expression, each finalist impressed with their self-confidence and linguistic and intellectual competence. Competing in the Junior Division was Senithi Dahanayake from Lyceum International School Panadura, Sakina Mansoorally from Burhani Serendib School and from Asian International School was Dhivas Sugumar. Shalinda Perera from Gateway College Negombo, Anish Fonseka from Gateway College Colombo and Nathan Omprasadham from Overseas School of Colombo competed in the Senior Division.

Congratulating the finalists, Chief Guest Chief Operating Officer of MAS HQ Shirendra Lawrence mentioned that, “Mastering the English language is of utmost importance to be able to communicate effectively and meaningfully be it at the work place or with the world at large. Whilst we are now comfortably moving into the digital era to cater to the change in trends, the next generation is fast becoming more reliant on social media as a convenient form of communication versus the conventional form better known to us as unaided cognitive thinking, and expressing one’s self effectively.”

This was echoed by the Chairman of the Panel of Judges Attorney-at-law Mohamed Adamally who said, “With the spread of technology and the emergence of “short messages”, unfortunately we see a growing culture of abbreviation, a perversion of grammar and a breakdown of phrasing, which is now, sometimes subconsciously, beginning to pervade oral communications as well. The need, therefore, to focus on developing proper communication skills in the form of Public Speaking and Debate, which cannot be understated and competitions such as this do much towards inspiring young people to consciously improve and engage in structured and ‘proper’ communications.” The panel of judges comprised Founder and Chief Trustee of the Foundation of Goodness Kushil Gunasekera, Head of Sustainable Development, Communication and External Affairs of Siam City Cement Farzana Khan, Communications and Media Consultant Savithri Rodrigo and Head of Marketing & Communications of HSBC Tharanga Gunasekara.

Adventus Education is managed and operated by a group of visionary international education professionals offering unprecedented access to world-class universities and colleges, excelling in student placements in the USA, Canada, UK, Australia and New Zealand, with a partner network of over 220 universities and colleges both locally and internationally. One of the leading international school in the sub-continent, The British School in Colombo has an excellent reputation for providing an outstanding and thriving holistic education augmented by a stimulating learning environment that develops outstanding young people. The gold sponsors for the event are DeVry University USA and Swinburne University of Technology, Australia, silver sponsors Melbourne Institute of Technology and bronze sponsor Swinburne University Sarawak Malaysia.

Rishan Kuruppu

Esteem was fortunate to catch Rishan Kuruppu for a quick yet comprehensive interview. A true mover and shaker who is a proud son of Sri Lanka, scour through this insightful article, and log onto www.rishankuruppu.com to get a perceptive look into an extraordinary life.

Why tennis and how did you fall in love with the game? Please plot out the journey to where you are today professionally?

When I was five years old I moved to Vancouver, Canada and for my sixth birthday I asked my parents for a tennis racquet. Tennis found me and I really enjoyed just hitting the ball against a wall. I never depended on anyone to play with me so the wall never let me down; it was three years of fun, challenges and patience. The love for tennis was ignited when I realized there was nothing else I rather do!

My tennis journey began at an early six years old playing for fun. When I was nine years old I took my first tennis lesson which was with a kind, patient, old school mentality coach who laid the foundational fundamentals for where I am today. From ten years on I started to play tournaments, which began with disappointments, but fueled my dedication to improvement and work ethic. Not too long after I became a Provincial Champion in every age group to top five ranking in Canada. I competed internationally and was among the top 300 juniors in world. I was fortunate to travel around the world at an early age and followed that up with a scholarship to Division 1 Middle Tennessee State University who at the time was ranked top 25 in the United States by the NCAA. After graduation with a bachelors in finance my decision was to become a professional coach and serve the game that has brought about meaning to my life.

Who is your favorite player of all time, and why?

My favorite player of all time is Roger Federer. His consistency, passion, professionalism and artistic style of play embody the beauty and grace of his exceptional talents.

I also admire that regardless of all the trophies and achievements in his career; he plays the game for sheer love, fun and continuous improvement to perfect his craft.

What’s the best court you’ve played on and/or wish to play on one day?

I have been fortunate to play on all surfaces and great courts. Monte Carlo Masters series center court was one of my highlights as it encompasses pristine landscape and scenic views. I would love to one day play on center court at Wimbledon.

List your achievements thus far; and your hopes and dreams for the future.

Some of my career achievements:

– Director of Tennis: Roton Point Club ( Connecticut, USA )

– Director at Proform Tennis Academy ( New York, USA )

– Principal: Reevent LLC ( Management / Leadership Services )

– Author and contributor for New York Tennis magazine

– Tennis Lifestyle Creator for Equinox ( Greenwich, Connecticut)

– Nationally recognized and featured on USTA magazine 2010

The future has me creating a leadership and tennis foundation to help those who may not have the resources. I also plan on writing a book detailing my coaching philosophy. My passion is to help people develop their real potential.

What advice would you give youngsters who are wondering whether a sporting life is a rewarding endeavor (noting the fact that many generations have opted for the proverbial corporate life because sports was not rewarding).

My advice to youngsters is that all things are rewarding if you give your time and heart especially in sports. Making an impact and helping others in sport or corporate life and being mindful of your personal journey is winning! I truly believe that time well spent on others is a life well lived.

How do you chill out? Any favorite restaurants? Favorite hobbies besides tennis?

I like to relax by spending time with my wife Esmeralda and son Oliver. I love listening to music and walks in nature or anywhere near the ocean. Favorite food is Sri Lankan food I especially enjoy a little extra spice. Favorite restaurants are Tao in New York City and Barcelona in Connecticut. I am a huge hockey fan and follow the Vancouver Canucks with passion.

Tell us what a day in the life of Rishan Kuruppu is like.

A day in the life of Rishan Kuruppu starts with waking up at 6 am.

It is a very simply structured routine every day I call the big four:

Get my high intensity workout done
Read for 1 hour / Reflect 30 min
Eat and sleep well
All my appointments are like family I give them my undivided attention.

Everything above gets scheduled around my family and work but it always gets done. I look at everything with a positive perspective and lots of laughter.

The Best of Both Worlds

Noa Fernando is half-Sri Lankan and half-Dutch. Born and raised in the Netherlands, Noa’s parents would travel to Sri Lanka on vacation every year. It was on a vacation like this 7 years ago that a young Noa fell in love with her local roots. Making a bold decision to stay back, Noa now calls Sri Lanka her home.

“When I came down 7 years ago I never imagined that I would stay back. I am the most daring out of my sisters and I’ve always wanted to do something on my own. Sri Lanka captured my heart so much that one year later I called my parents up and said I was never coming back”.

Noa’s great love for Sri Lanka is shared by her parents who themselves met on our sunny island. “My parents have a beautiful love story and I guess my love for this country comes from their love for it”, she says.

I am tempted to ask her what about Sri Lanka captivated her the most. “Definitely the warmth that you feel the moment you step on Sri Lankan soil, and I don’t mean the heat. It’s the people, the spirituality. I feel like myself here, more than anywhere else in the world.”

When Noa decided that she wanted to make Sri Lanka her home, her first challenge was to get a work visa which would enable her to remain in the country. “I started off working at Thomas Cook as a tourism consultant for the European markets and did a bit of modeling as well to earn some extra cash. Tourism was something that I loved and it enabled me to interact with many different people. But one area that I found particularly interesting was conversations I had with foreigners and Sri Lankan expats who wanted to settle down in Sri Lanka but didn’t know how.”

During this time, Noa was offered a position at a real estate company which was promoting condominium living to the hill capital. GVR Lanka was the company behind “Dynasty Residencies”, a luxury apartment complex in Kandy. In her own words it was during this time that Noa found her niche for real estate. “I had to travel to Australia on work and realized how many people wanted to live in Sri Lanka but didn’t know how to source a property, and the paper-work that would be involved. This sparked the idea for my first business.”

Today, this young entrepreneur is the owner of two budding business in real estate and exports. Property Search One is a full relocation service company run by Noa and her two associates who work in the Southern province. Going several steps further than a typical real estate agent, Noa’s company handles visa requirements, helping to find schools for children, and a gamut of services that makes life so much easier for a relocating family. “Relocation is not an easy decision and that’s why I take so much care and attention with my clients. I personally make Skype calls and go through the process until they are properly settled in. I am happiest when I know an individual or family feels as much at home in Sri Lanka as I do.”

A second company Esna Exports handles the export of organic produce and coconut based products to Japan, USA and Australia and also keeps Noa on her toes. As if that wasn’t enough, this young and dynamic businesswoman is also a consultant with Dusit Thani Sri Lanka and handles the marketing aspect for their Balapitiya Beachfront property.

With so much to handle, Noa has an active lifestyle that takes her around the island. “I love to travel and there’s no typical timetable I stick to with my work. I generally make it to office by 9am after a good morning workout, and then prepare for the day by first checking my emails. Because I personally choose my clients, I need to do a lot of research and gather insight which is also fun.”

The world of real estate in Sri Lanka is still dominated by males but nothing intimidates Noa, not even the fact that she is not Sri Lankan. “I don’t think being half-Sri Lankan is a negative. In fact it’s a positive in my business. Being half-Western allows me to understand the wants and needs of the Western mindset while being half-Sri Lankan allows me to understand the local way of doing things. It’s the best of both worlds.”

Living a simple life in Colombo, Noa does miss her family and the Netherlands, especially the season changes but strongly believes that with the right people around you anywhere can be home. She has also convinced her parents to retire and return to dad’s home country, and they will be joining her soon. I ask her what her plans are for the future and where she sees herself in 5 years and I am quite surprised by this ambitious woman’s response. “Honestly I’m not sure. In five years I might have another few businesses or just one. I do have personal goals for myself but I like to live my life with no restrictions. I get bored easily and I always need a fresh challenge. So I want to even surprise myself in five years’ time.”

Young women who dare to be different and challenge the norms excite me, and meeting Noa has been a treat to say the least. No airs, no graces. Just simplicity, class and a lot of reality. Her message to women in general sums it all up. “Learn to be thick skinned and don’t let anyone put you down. Envision it and achieve it!”

By Nishu Hassim
Photo Credit: Nadun Baduge

Box Information
Full Name: Noa Fernando
Family: Parents, two older sisters
Who Is Noa? A warm person, go-getter, focused person
Philosophy in Life: Move out of your comfort zone and stay focused
Favourite Person in the World: Barack Obama

About Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka in One Word: Colourful
What Do You Love About the Country? The Beaches
Favourite Sri Lankan Food? Lamprais (It’s Dutch after all!)
Something You Don’t Like About Sri Lanka? People don’t value time and the traffic!
Places to Visit: I love Ella! And Galle is awesome!

Madura Kulatunga: Reflections on the world of dictionaries

By Uditha Devapriya

Madura Kulatunga is a familiar name to most Sri Lankans. He is not too young but he hasn’t mellowed with the passing of time. He exhibits a kind of naïveté that is, for this writer at least, attributable to a sense of simplicity that he’s acquired and nurtured over many, many years. That simplicity has won him both friends and enemies. This writer met him recently. He had some questions to ask. Madura answered them all.

To start off things Madura, tell us a little bit about your childhood and youth.

Well, I was born on March 23, 1980 in Matara. I eventually entered Royal College. People think that kids my age would have begun our love for computers at school, but that’s not really true. Royal had a Computer Society, yes, but all too often there was a discrepancy between those who had access to computers at home and those who had not. This was in turn based on family backgrounds. Besides, schools couldn’t invest too much on the subject at the time. For that reason, I had to look beyond the Society to sustain my love for computers.

That is why my friends and I used to jaunt off to Union Place every day, to an internet cafe where I enthralled myself by surfing the web. You’d be surprised to know that I didn’t really choose computing for my A Levels at Royal. I chose Commerce. Perhaps that helped me when I was formulating a business model for my program later on, but for that time we really didn’t have much of an option: it was either Science or Commerce.

What of your life after school?

After doing my A Levels in 1999, I got myself enrolled for the National Diploma in Computing at the National Youth Centre in Maharagama. That was followed by a course, though not as celebrated or acclaimed, at Abacus Computers, Nugegoda: the Special Diploma in Information Technology. It was at Abacus that I realised by weakest spot: my lack of proficiency in English. Needless to say, I tutored myself through the dictionary, mainly the Malalasekera Dictionary, and through a perusal of several books on the subjects I was learning.

So did these encounters help you formulate your program?

I would say so. I studied about Visual Basic from these extra books I bought from Sarasavi Bookshop. They pushed me to design a program. At the time, however, access to computers was a luxury and so was access to the internet. So I had to design a program that could be contained in a CD. That is how I came by the idea of designing a Sinhala to English Dictionary. I admit that Malalasekera helped me a lot when I first set about setting up and conceiving my program.

Eventually I finished designing it. To test it, I asked some of my friends to run it on their computers and get back to me. They loved it. Because I was so encouraged by their response, I released the dictionary. I remember the date as though it were yesterday: November 23, 2002. I also remember the many costs and profit margins I aimed at with it.

For printing the CD cover at Seya Colour and packaging it, I had to spend about 75 rupees. I sold the program for 200 rupees to a retailer who then marketed it for 300. My profit, after all that, amounted to 125 rupees, which had to take into account various capital equipment, including a CD writer that cost 10,000 rupees. Money was not a concern or priority, though. The program became the roaring success I wanted it to become. That was enough.

What of your subsequent accomplishments?

Well, six years later, in 2008 to be specific, I made a website out of my program, which basically released it to the public domain. Soon enough, it became a roaring success on its own right.

I also pursued my education. I passed out as a Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer in 2005. I obtained an MSc in Information Technology from Sikkim Manipal University (through ICBT Campus) five years later. I was then recognised by the University of Moratuwa in 2009, when I was invited to address a Symposium by Professor Gihan Dias (who was instrumental in founding Sri Lanka’s first email system). Regarding the latter event, I must mention that I was able not just to present my program superficially, but also to unearth the nuts and bolts that went into the conception of that program.

Regarding all those accomplishments, what can you say as a final note?

Well, when I started out, I did not forget to acknowledge the products that and people who helped me design my dictionary. I did not forget Malalasekera, nor have I forgotten the intense abuse of it that most people who copy my original program even today indulge in. That is why I say that you must not forget your roots, your background. Also, you must not regard your accomplishments as reason for complacency. Though I will not reveal it entirely, I will say here that my ambition now, after completing all those Diplomas and Degrees, is to become a pilot. I have enrolled in a course to help me realise that ambition.

Do I have reason for regret in what I have done? Not by a long shot. Have I lost anything materially? Perhaps. Do I care? Of course not. So all in all, I can say this much as a final note: do what you can, improve on what you want to do, and everything else will follow. Don’t do anything for the love of profit. That is all.