My Story
By the way, have you ever heard the mysterious sounds of the singing fish in Batticaloa? To dive deeper into that magical memory and explore the legend for yourself, please check out my blog: Underwater Sonatas: A Journey into the Realm of Singing Fish.
Growing up beside the
lagoon and the sea
Nearly seven decades ago, I was born in Batticaloa, a beautiful coastal town on the eastern shore of Sri Lanka, embraced by the tranquil lagoon on one side and the vast Indian Ocean on the other. It was here that my story began, surrounded by the rhythms of nature, the warmth of family, and the close bonds of a community where people knew one another and shared in one another’s lives.
Looking back, I realize that Batticaloa gave me more than a childhood; it gave me a sense of belonging and an enduring connection to my roots. Though life would eventually take me far beyond its shores, the landscape, people, and memories of those formative years remain an inseparable part of who I am.
01 - A Childhood Framed by Water and Time
Growing up in a town next to a lagoon, my childhood was shaped by its geography and the Indian Ocean. The rhythmic movement of the waters created lasting memories and shaped the beautiful landscape of my youth. The simple pleasure of walking to the beach with my siblings filled us with happiness, as the sea breezes whispered through our clothes, inviting us to waltz with the ocean's tides. Overhead, the gulls' symphony echoed, creating a melodic backdrop to our carefree days. The fishermen, who were devotedly involved in their daily tasks, became well-known figures in the memories of our youth. I craved the carefree days of leisure, the moments spent with my friends, and the simple joys that life offered. Among those, the memories of walking along the beautiful beaches lingered in my mind. The sound of the waves crashing against the shore, the feel of the warm sand beneath my feet, and the laughter shared with friends created a tapestry of moments that felt like a sanctuary from the complexities of the future.
02 - When the Streets Were Our Playground
Back then, children were the creators of their own fun. The side streets reverberated with the sounds of cricket matches, and the air was filled with the laughter of helmetless kids riding bicycles. With cheruppu, the Tamil name for flip-flops, on our feet and shorts, we fearlessly explored the town. The air was fresh and pure, and we enjoyed delicious food straight from the abundant plants around us. Our mom would make salad with special plants grown in our backyard. Walking around the streets, we discovered a community deeply connected to nature, where the environment played a vital role in our everyday lives.
03 - Bicycle Bells, April Heat, and Childhood Memories
Life in Batticaloa followed a rhythm of its own. The early mornings brought cooler air, and during this period, the streets came alive with the rhythmic cadence of bicycle boys on their daily deliveries. The scene unfolded like a familiar tableau, a testament to the enduring traditions that marked the pulse of the community. Newspaper and milk deliveries were announced by the cheerful ringing of bicycle bells as the town slowly came to life.
The April heat was another part of childhood. Without air conditioning, open windows and ceiling fans were our refuge. Yet those hot days were simply part of life, just as familiar as the beach, the lagoon, the streets, and the people around us.
More Than a Town: A Community
That Shaped Me
Batticaloa was more than the town where I grew up; it was a close-knit community where familiar faces greeted me at every turn and people took a genuine interest in one another’s lives. There was a natural sense of belonging, a feeling that we were all part of something larger than ourselves. Looking back, I realize how deeply those early experiences shaped my understanding of community, compassion, and the quiet importance of caring for one another.
Where Hearts Were Connected: The Spirit of Old Batticaloa
In Batticaloa, community was not just a concept but a way of life. The tight-knit fabric of our town ensured that familiar faces greeted you at every turn, whether on a visit to the temple or during Sunday Mass at the church. We all felt a deep bond with each other, like one big family. As I reflect on my formative years in Batticaloa, I am filled with a profound sense of gratitude for the love and warmth that surrounded me.
It was within the embrace of my hometown and the embrace of my loving family that I learned the true meaning of community, compassion, and kinship—a foundation upon which I would build my life’s journey. Life moved at a slower pace and people remained closely connected.
A Town of Colonial Grandeur and Humble Delights
There were no tall buildings or skyscrapers in the city. The large residences built by the British colonizers, occupied by the district court judge and the District Governor, still tower over neighboring homes and serve as a reminder of our colonial history. In the simplicity of my youth, when life was devoid of fancy restaurants and nightclubs in our city, there existed a cherished place called ‘Hotel Rasheediya.’ In our local parlance, small eateries were colloquially referred to as ‘hotels,’ each carrying a unique charm and character. It was in these unassuming establishments that we found a haven for camaraderie and shared culinary delights.
Batticaloa Love: The Treasures of a Simple Childhood
A Love That Lasted a Lifetime:
The Story of My Parents
My parents came from different parts of Sri Lanka but eventually made their home together in Batticaloa. Their marriage was arranged in 1940, as was customary in those days. Yet what began as an arranged union grew into a beautiful and enduring partnership, built on mutual respect, loyalty, affection, and an unwavering commitment to one another. Looking back, I believe they were truly soul mates.
My father often gave the impression that he knew, from the very first moment he saw my mother, that she was the woman he would marry. From the day they began their life together, his devotion to her never wavered. She was, without question, the love of his life.
Growing up, I had the privilege of witnessing their relationship through the simple, everyday moments they shared. I remember their quiet conversations, their gentle interactions, and the natural understanding that seemed to exist between them. They had very different personalities, yet somehow complemented each other beautifully. My father was calm, patient, and reserved, while my mother was passionate, assertive, and deeply sensitive. His quiet strength seemed to balance her spirited nature.
They did not need grand gestures or elaborate expressions of affection to demonstrate their love. It was evident in the way they spoke to each other, cared for one another, and shared the responsibilities of family life. Their relationship taught me that lasting love is not simply about romance; it is about companionship, understanding, patience, and choosing to stand by one another through the years.
As I look back on my childhood, I realize how much their example shaped my own understanding of marriage, family, and commitment. Their love was one of life’s most enduring lessons, and I remain grateful for having grown up witnessing it.
My Mother
The Foundation of Our Family
My mother was born in Batticaloa and was nineteen when she married my father. She was beautiful intelligent talented and passionate. She played the violin and carried a warmth and strength that became an important part of our family life.
As our family grew she became its foundation. After my father passed away she raised all eight of us and made sure that we received an education and found our own paths in life.
She became the solid foundation in our family.
My Father
A quiet example of patience and service
My father came from Jaffna and was a quiet and patient man. His words carried great weight in our home but what stayed with me most was the way he lived. He believed that life should be devoted not only to God but also to serving others.
He showed kindness to neighbours strangers workers and people who were struggling. His patience generosity and faith became examples that I have carried with me throughout my own life.
Patience is golden.
Their Life Together
A marriage that grew into a family
My parents' marriage was arranged in 1940.
They remained committed to one another until my father's passing at the age of fifty-eight.
Wisdom Gathered Along the Way
PATIENT
His calmness taught me the value of patience.
FAITHFUL
Their devotion to family and faith stayed with me.
COMPASSIONATE
Their concern for others shaped how I see people.
SERVICE
Helping others became part of how I understand life.
FATHER'S INFLUENCE
Looking back I realize that my father's greatest gift was the example he set. He showed me that integrity is not simply something we talk about. It is something we practice through patience honesty kindness and service.
His belief in serving others became one of the values I carried into my own life.
MOTHER'S STRENGTH
When my father passed away my mother had to raise eight children on her own. It was not an easy responsibility but she continued forward and ensured that each of us received the opportunity to learn grow and build our own lives.
Learning to look beyond the horizons
of my
childhood
Growing up in Sri Lanka, I had simple hopes for the future: to do well in my studies, build a stable life, travel beyond the shores of my island home, and eventually raise a family of my own. Alongside these aspirations, my Bahá’í Faith and my father’s example instilled in me a deeper understanding of life’s purpose—the importance of serving others, acting with integrity, and contributing to the betterment of society.
I could not have imagined where life would take me or the opportunities and challenges that lay ahead. Yet, looking back, I realize that these early hopes, guided by my faith and the values I learned at home, became the foundation of my journey. I came to understand that a meaningful life is measured not only by what we achieve for ourselves, but also by the love we share, the service we offer, and the positive difference we make in the lives of others.
Discovering the Oneness of Humanity
Traveling and working across different countries brought me into contact with people from diverse cultures, traditions, and ways of life. These encounters taught me that although people may speak different languages, follow different customs, and view the world through different experiences, they often share the same hopes for their families, the same desire for dignity and security, and the same longing for peace, love, and belonging.
My Bahá’í Faith had already instilled in me the principle that humanity is one, but my travels gave that belief a deeper, more personal meaning. Beyond national borders and cultural differences, I began to recognize our shared humanity. The more I travelled, the more curious I became about people, their histories, and the values that shaped their lives. Each encounter challenged my assumptions, broadened my perspective, and reminded me how much we can learn from one another.
Gradually, I came to see diversity not as a barrier separating us, but as a source of richness that can bring humanity closer together. My experiences strengthened my conviction that we belong to one human family and that our differences need not divide us. Rather, they offer opportunities for understanding, friendship, and mutual enrichment.
Looking back, travel did more than introduce me to new places and people; it transformed how I understood my place in the world. It reinforced my Bahá’í conviction that the earth is one country and humankind its citizens, and that our lives become more meaningful when we look beyond ourselves and contribute to a more united and compassionate world.
A Working Life Across Cultures and Continents
Working in different countries and cultural settings brought opportunities to engage with people from varied backgrounds, traditions, and perspectives. These experiences were a natural part of a working life, offering valuable insights into different ways of living, working, and understanding the world. Along the way, they revealed how much people, despite their cultural differences and geographical distances, have in common.
01 - A Career Across Countries and Business Practices
Over more than three decades, my professional journey included working with Eastman Kodak Company in various marketing and management roles across Asia, Europe, and the Middle East. These years provided opportunities to work alongside people from different backgrounds and cultures, gaining an appreciation for their customs, working practices, and perspectives. The experience offered valuable lessons in adapting to different environments, understanding diverse approaches to business, and appreciating the importance of cultural awareness in working with people around the world.
02 - Learning Through Professional Experience
Throughout my professional career, I was fortunate to have opportunities to work with people and organizations in different parts of the world. During my years with Eastman Kodak Company, I had the privilege of conducting workshops and delivering lectures on marketing, strategic planning, and cross-cultural business practices. These experiences broadened my perspective and nurtured a deeper interest in Asian cultures, business traditions, and the important role that cultural understanding can play in bringing people closer together. Along the way, I had the opportunity to contribute articles on these subjects and author four books exploring Asian cultures and international business: The Dragon Arises; Mysticism, Money and Madness; The Return of the Dragon; and Beauty, Bureaucrats and Breaking the Silence. Looking back, I feel grateful for these opportunities to travel, exchange ideas, and learn from people of diverse backgrounds. More than professional accomplishments, these experiences became valuable lessons in understanding others, appreciating different perspectives, and recognizing the many things that connect us as human beings.
A FEW MILESTONES
KODAK BURNHAM AWARD
Lifetime achievement recognition for excellence and innovation.
CIVIC AWARD
Recognition from the Greater Rochester Metro Chamber of Commerce for advancing international understanding and participation.
25 MOST INFLUENTIAL EXECUTIVES
Named among “Visionaries 2002” by a U.S. consumer technology publication.
PAUL HARRIS FELLOW
Recognition through Rotary International for service to the community.
A Spiritual Path of Service and Purpose:
A belief that gradually became a
way of life
Faith has been a constant and guiding presence throughout my life’s journey. It has shaped my understanding of the purpose of life, my relationship with others, and my sense of responsibility toward humanity. Through the teachings of the Bahá’í Faith, I have come to appreciate that faith is not simply a matter of belief or prayer; it is reflected in how we live, how we treat one another, and how willingly we contribute to the well-being of others.
Learning to see beyond
our differences
Over the years, I have come to understand that spirituality finds its deepest expression through acts of kindness, humility, compassion, and service.
My faith has encouraged me to look beyond the differences that separate people and recognize the humanity we share. It has taught me to value every person, remain open to learning, and contribute to the well-being of those around me.
The Bahá'í Faith has become an important part of how I understand the world. Its teachings have influenced my thoughts about unity, service, compassion, and our responsibility toward one another.
A belief in our shared humanity
One of the ideas that has stayed with me most deeply is that humanity is one. We may come from different countries, cultures, religions, and circumstances, but our differences do not diminish our shared dignity or our responsibility toward one another. Beneath these differences, we share the same hopes for peace, happiness, security, and a better future for our families and communities.
My experiences of travelling, working, and building friendships with people from different parts of the world have strengthened this conviction. I have come to appreciate that, although our languages, traditions, and ways of life may differ, there is much more that unites us than separates us. Each encounter has reminded me of the importance of looking beyond outward differences and recognizing the inherent worth of every human being.
Love of all the world’s peoples does not exclude love of one’s country. But unbridled nationalism and its associated prejudices must give way to a wider loyalty, to the love of humanity as a whole. 'Let not a man glory in that he loves his country,' said Bahá’u’lláh, 'let him rather glory in this, that he loves his kind.'
Service above self
My father taught me early that life should not be lived only for ourselves. His belief in helping people in need became one of the examples that stayed with me. As my own life developed, that idea became increasingly important to me.
Through my work, community involvement, and later humanitarian efforts, I have tried to use what I have learned and what I have been given to contribute to the lives of others.
A Continuing Journey of Faith, Purpose, and Service
Following my retirement, my wife, our youngest daughter, and I came together to establish the Hope is Life Foundation. Guided by our shared belief in the importance of education and the potential it holds for transforming lives, we ventured to India and Thailand with the hope of helping address the educational needs of young girls and creating opportunities for a brighter future.
This experience became another meaningful chapter in our journey of service. It brought us closer to communities whose circumstances were often very different from our own and reminded us of how much there is to learn from others. We came to appreciate that service is not simply about what we offer, but also about the humility with which we listen, learn, and work alongside those we hope to support.
Looking back, I feel grateful for the opportunity to have been part of these efforts. They reinforced my belief that even modest contributions can make a difference when offered with sincerity, compassion, and a genuine desire to help. I have come to understand that service is a lifelong spiritual journey, one that continually calls us to look beyond ourselves and use whatever abilities and opportunities we have been given for the betterment of others.
People, Places, and
Precious Moments
Some memories are best preserved through photographs. Each image holds a story, capturing people I have met, places I have visited, journeys I have taken, and moments shared with family and friends. Together, they offer glimpses of experiences, relationships, and encounters that have enriched my life and shaped my journey. Looking back at these photographs fills me with gratitude for the many blessings, lessons, and unexpected joys along the way. They remind me that life is not measured only by the destinations we reach, but also by the people we meet, the connections we nurture, and the moments we are fortunate enough to share.
For the life I shared not
only the work I did
I hope to be remembered as someone who gave his heart to his family, his work, and the people he met along the way. Someone who tried to live with kindness, integrity, curiosity, and gratitude.
I hope the people I met remember the conversations we shared, the friendships we built, and the differences we learned to appreciate. More than anything, I hope my life reflects the value of love, service, and our shared humanity.
The complete story
behind the journey
These pages share only a glimpse of my journey. My complete memoir brings together the memories, experiences, people, places, and reflections that have shaped my life over the years.