Promising youth cricketer Dinayadura Manoj Sarathchandra could be everything a father would have wanted in a son.
His father’s dream became a reality when he was selected to the Sri Lanka Under-19 cricket team, but what Sarathchandra has learnt along the way is that he has been content with small mercies and at the same time has set his targets on bigger things as he makes progress as a sportsman.
A product of St. Anthony’s College in Kandy he went on to keep wickets and open the batting for Sri Lanka A and even at the age of 29 he still harbours thoughts of moving ahead further while playing for the Sinhalese Sports Club (SSC) in the Premier League.
“I take everything how it comes,” he told the Sunday Observer in an interview.
Excerpts of the interview:
Q: Describe yourself in one word?
Strong-minded
Q: Any words or phrases you overuse?
Chill, Relax, Good One
Q: What is your most marked characteristic?
Ambitious, focused, humble, fair, team player, disciplined
Q: If you could edit your past, what would you change?
I would like to change the fact that I broke my finger when I was playing under-19 school cricket
Q: What is the most important thing in your life?
Family
Q: Who has influenced you the most?
My mother has been a continuous support and has influenced me to do my best and give my 100 per cent to what I am passionate about
Q: Are you fashionable?
Yes, most definitely. I love sleek and neat trends which are uncommon
Q: If you had access to a time machine what would you change?
I wouldn’t want to change anything
Q: What motivates you in your life?
My family, my passion for sports and meeting kind and positive people
Q: If you could choose any career right now, what would it be?
I would chose to play rugby
Q: What forms of music do you listen to?
Smooth and relaxing music
Q: What’s the best thing you would like to hear from someone?
Well played. Great knock
Q. What made you choose sports?
My father always wanted me to pursue a career in sports. Now I thoroughly enjoy it
Q. Thus far what was your most unforgettable sporting incident?
Traveling overseas to represent my country.
Scoring 231 not out during the UK summer cricket season in 2022
Q. What’s your best school sporting achievement?
Being selected to the Under-19 Sri Lanka cricket team
Q: What is your idea of happiness?
Play my favorite sport with dignity and pride.
Achieve your goals and make it on your own. Be humble and happy with what you have
Q: What is the trait you most deplore in others?
Unkind and rude. Being inconsiderate of others’ feelings
Q: What has been your biggest disappointment?
Actually I don’t have any disappointments.
I have learned to accept anything that comes my way.
I am happy with what I have
Q: Most important lesson life has taught you?
Life has taught me many lessons along my journey.
Whatever obstacles in life, you need to face it and move on. Whatever happens just keep smiling.