Thiloka Shanendra de Silva is a cricketer from St. Peter’s College who has come up the hard way and will never move away from the hardest of challenges.
A player who puts his words into action De Silva comes from a pedigree that will work passionately towards his goals and set the tone for others to follow.
“I’m a go-getter under any circumstances. In my opinion the past is never to return so what’s gone is gone,” he told the Sunday Observer in an interview.
Excerpts of the interview:
Q: describe yourself in one sentence?
Passionate to work towards my goals no matter what obstacles and challenges I face.
Q: What made you to choose sports?
My family background
Q: Any words or phrases you overuse?
Very frequently I use the word Jesus
Q: What is your most marked characteristic?
I’m a go-getter under any circumstances.
Q: If you could edit your past, what would you change?
In my opinion the past is never to return so what’s gone is gone?
Q: What is the most important thing in your life?
Nothing is more important than my Lord Jesus.
Q: Who has influenced you the most?
My family
Q: Are you fashionable?
Yes for sure.
Q: If you had access to a time machine what would you change?
The way people are being hurt
Q: What motivates you in your life?
When people put me down I always take that as a motivation
Q: What forms of music are you listening to?
I love to listen to classic music and romantic music
Q: What’s the best thing you would like to hear from someone?
Very humble, a down to earth person who is honest and genuine
Q: What is your idea of happiness?
It’s not about getting what you want all the time. It’s about loving what you have and being grateful for it
Q: What is the trait you most deplore in others?
People always talk bad about others, I hate that
Q: What has been your biggest disappointment?
None.
Q: What is the most important lesson life has taught you?
Hard work and determination is the key to success.
Q: Thus far what was your most unforgettable sporting incident?
In my junior cricket U-13 semi finals I made an unbeaten innings with my partner (Gavin) and with that partnership I was able to take my team to the highest level into the final
Q: How is the support you get from your MD/Chairman at SMS Holdings?
I gain a lot of support and exposure from my Chairman/MD Shehan Seneviratne whenever I need it. I’m eternally grateful to him.
Q: If you could choose any career right now, what would it be?
I have already selected my career path following the footsteps of my father (Sales and Marketing)
Q: Any character you follow at the moment?
Yes. My General Manager Rasika Kodikara, He has reached this level with experience/professional qualifications and practical knowledge. So I also want to follow the same footsteps
Q: Where do you want to see yourself in five years?
I want to see myself at least as a Sales Manager with experience/qualifications and performance in another five years time.