When some count sheep to fall asleep, I used to lace stories in my head even at a very young age. But I didn’t start inking them until I was about 12 or 13 years old. My first story was written in a notebook in Sinhalese (my native language) when I was in school. I shared my stories with my school friends who loved reading them.

Unfortunately, conforming to norms took me down a path that didn’t leave enough room to continue with my writing. Firstly, I got busy with my higher studies, then with my corporate job. But when my mother became ill, I had this urge to write again. Maybe because she was the one who made me fall in love with reading.

I published my first novel in November 2021, on the second anniversary of my mother’s passing. It was a story I started writing when I was in university. The story and its characters grew up with me over the year, refining and maturing as I aged.

It felt so rewarding to hear how my readers have immense in the story, identifying with the characters, their struggles, challenges and wins and also learning something about Sri Lankan culture and its rich heritage.

The feedback I received for my first book The Labyrinth of My Life gave me the courage to write another. I am so excited to publish my second book in May 2023.

I dream of having my stories being a little bit more than a ‘happily ever after’ and leaving something for my readers to ponder after they finished the story. Help them to unwrap feelings, and thoughts that lay dormant.

It also means inspiring those like me to come out of their closets and embrace their dreams.

 When I am not writing I like to indulge in books by my favourite authors and go on long bushwalks with my partner in crime, my husband.  

As did Mother Teresa, I  also believe the problem with the world today is that we draw our family circle too small. I believe in making the world a better place.