Intimate Chat Room

Studious so, no time for romance!

Youthful Navin Niranjan Dissanayake is the Minister of Investment Promotion. Charming and dashing Navin despite his busy schedule spent a little time in the “Intimate Chat room” and had a pow - wow with the Sunday Observer.

Q: Were you born in Kotmale?

A: No. I was born at McCarthy Hospital, Colombo.

My father was born in Kotmale and we have a house there, where I stay whenever I go there, say, once a month. I still maintain connections with my relatives and most of the people in Kotmale are related to us.

Q: Schools attended?

A: I had my nursery education at the S. Thomas’ Prep. School at Kollupitiya, then at Royal College, Colombo where I studied upto grade 10. I couldn’t sit for my O/Ls here since I left for Australia where I entered the Melbourne Grammar School to do my A/Ls. There I studied in the Arts stream with subjects like economics, politics, legal studies, English and History. I received 2As, 2Bs and a C at A/Ls.

Q: University life?

A: I entered University of Sussex, UK to read degree in Law. I had a gala time with my large circle of friends during my three year stay from 1988-1992. We went out, partied, did sports and various types of amusement.

Though I associate with girls closely, I never had a serious relationship with any one in particular. Lots of my friends had affairs with girls, and enjoyed their time with fiancees, but I didn’t want to commit myself at such a very young age. That time was very enjoyable and I didn’t want to mess up my studies as I was very studious. I gave priority to education and not to romance.

After I received an upper second class degree, I went to the Law School at Middle Temple for the barristers’ exams.After I returned to Sri Lanka, I had to sit for the last five exams in order to be a practising lawyer.

Q: Did you take part in any sports in school?

A: I played for the under 16 cricket team at Royal College. I also played cricket for the Melbourne Grammar School team and the Sussex University team.

Q: Any extra-curricular activities?

A: I was a member of the debating society at Royal College, Melbourne Grammar School and at the Sussex University’s debating society.

I also did 15 to 20 moots at the University. Moots are mock trials which are similar to cases heard in courts in which one is required to defend somebody.

Q: Your family?

A: I’m the eldest in a family of three. My sister Waruni is a housewife and my brother Mayantha is also in politics. We are very close to each other. We don’t have family disputes. We see one another atleast once a week and keep in touch over the phone.

My mother Srimathi is living alone at Alfred House Gardens. She’s a lawyer as well.

Q: How did you communicate with your family when you were in the UK?

A:I used to come over to Sri Lanka every six months. There was no internet facilities then, so I call home once a week.

Q: Did you do any part time employment there?

A: No, but before I took oaths I was practising at a solicitors’ chamber.

Q: How did you look after your younger siblings after the demise of your father?

A: I was 24 when my father was assassinated. I didn’t have to shoulder a major responsibility, because my mother was a very strong character. We were somehow able to get through that period. Though we felt mentally insecure, my mother was always behind giving us moral strength. What we are today is due to our mother’s guidance.

Q: How do you spend your leisure?

A: Whenever I get an opportunity, I would spend most of my time with my children. I make it a point to stay with them for atleast one weekend a month.

Q: How often do you meet friends?

A: It’s very rare, since I’m not available in Colombo during most weekends. I go to Nuwara Eliya on Fridays and back in Colombo on Mondays. I hardly get time to socialise. But, before I got married I used to party a lot.

Q: What is your favourite destination?

A: To be honest, I don’t travel that much despite the popular belief by people that politicians travel a lot. I don’t have a particular interest in any foreign destination.

I like Kandalama and my hometown Kotmale. It’s quiet and peaceful. I also like the southern coastal zone like Mirissa.

Q: Are you interested in reading books?

A: Yes, very much. I have a library with an extensive collection of 250 to 300 books on subjects ranging from geography, law, management, history, philosophy and fictions.

I love to read biographies of politicians. One thing in my life I want to do is to build a good library.

Q: What type of movies are you interested in?

A: I love films. I’m a movie fan. I like movies like Three Hundred, Bourne Identity, Ironman and so on.

Q: Are you a music fan too?

A: Yes. I like to listen to popular music like rap and hip-pop. My favourite singer is Dire Straits.

I enjoy Sinhala music too. I like songs of young artistes like Iraj, Urumaya, BNS, and also songs of Amaradeva. I equally enjoy Western and Eastern music.

Q: Are you fussy with food?

A: Not really. I like Chinese food very much. My favourite drink is coca-cola. I like brandy too, but not often, only when I socialise with friends.

Q: How did you meet your princess charming?

A: I met her in 1998. I was introduced to Lanka Jayasuriya by a family friend at the Colombo Club. Then we got to know each other and our relationship built up. It initially came as a proposal but later it turned into a love affair.

Q: What are your ambitions in life?

A: I don’t have big ambitions to be the President or Prime Minister of the country. But it’s very good if it comes by my way. If I don’t get anything, I’m still not disappointed.

Q: Do you think the youth in the country are given their due place?

A: Today’s youth are very forward. They come into influential positions at a very young age. But the overall system of the country doesn’t allow the youth to involve in decision making. I personally believe that the youth can make a huge difference and a person should not be that old to hold responsible positions in society.

Young people should get opportunities in decision making so that it will help to make productive leaders of tomorrow. On of my ambitions is to pave the path for the youth to be involved in decision making.