Former Royal College cricket captain Pasindu Sooriyabandara is a man of few words that he is also able to match with ground realities.
The opening batsman will make no secret of his passion for travelling, his ambition and his drive for courageous acts like all hardcore pros in many fields not just sports.
Born on October 19, 1999 in Colombo, Pasindu Sanjula Sooriyabandara is not the kind of person who will run away from responsibility, pass the buck on anyone or disregard hard-work for which he knows there is no substitute.
Throw him a challenge or ask him to make the change, he will grab it with both arms.
Excerpts of an interview with the Sunday Observer:
Q: Describe yourself in one word
Responsible
Q: What is your most marked characteristic?
Hardworking
Q: If you could edit your past, what would you change?
I'm happy with my past and it led me to the places which I have always wished for
Q: What is the most important thing in your life?
Family and friends
Q: Who has influenced you the most?
My parents
Q: Are you fashionable?
I'm not sure whether I am but I always love to wear simple stuff. Shorts and slippers
Q: If you had access to a time machine what would you change?
As I said earlier I don’t want to change anything from my past, but I would definitely change the times which I got out during crucial points in some matches for sure.
Q: What motivates you in your life?
Challenges and change
Q: If you could choose any career right now, what would it be?
I would like to be an entrepreneur
Q: What forms of music do you listen to?
It doesn’t matter what type. If it gives me a good vibe, then I would listen to it for months.
Q: What’s the best thing you would like to hear from someone?
Wanna go out?
Q: What made you choose sports?
Playing with my brother and friends when I was young and some sportsmen who I looked up to when I was a child are what made me choose sport.
Q: Thus far what was your most unforgettable sporting incident?
Winning the 137th Battle of the Blues (against S. Thomas’) and becoming man of the match in it. Incidentally, it was also my debut big match.
Q: What's your best school sporting achievement?
Personal achievement would be representing the national Under 19 cricket team and captaining the Royal College cricket team in the 2018/19 season. And team wise achievement I would say is winning the 137th Battle of the Blues.
Q: What is your idea of happiness?
Helping and supporting others
Q: What is the trait you most deplore in others?
Harming animals
Q: Which person do you most admire and why?
I admire my family the most because they support and stand behind me in good times as well as in bad times with no complaints.
Q: What has been your biggest disappointment?
When I lost my wicket at a crucial point in my last big match in 2019
Q: Most important lesson life has taught you?
Accept challenges with a positive attitude.
Q: What becomes of the broken hearted?
Thus far I have never experienced it.
Q: What is the most beautiful thing you’ve ever seen?
Seeing my family and friends happy