Interview of Johann Peiris by the children at the workshop
Did you climb any other mountains?
Yes, we had to practice climbing other mountains. I have climbed many mountains like Kilimanjaro and Piduruthalagala.
What are your future plans?
My future plans are to keep climbing mountains and work as a hairdresser, which is my occupation.
How many countries did you see on top of Mount Everest?
I saw the two bordering countries on either side, Nepal and China.
What inspired you to climb Mount Everest?
For a climber it is the ultimate dream to climb the highest mountain in the world.
Not everyone can climb to the top of this mountain but I took the challenge and achieved my ultimate dream.
Did you ever lose hope when you had to turn back from your first attempt?
There is this saying, “When the going gets tough,
the tough gets going.” In my first expedition,
Jayanthi Kuru-Uthumpala was there to help me, and I was there to help her. I was upset at first when I was asked to turn back even though I was so close to the summit.
This time I was alone and had to have the mental strength and motivate myself to do this. But then I thought, “Nobody ever forced me to do this. This was my own decision.”
So I didn’t lose hope.
Who was there to help you?
There were no Sri Lankan people but my team consisted of many people from all over the world.
What is your advice to the young generation of this country?
We all have dreams. My advice to you is to never give up. Face the obstacles.
I failed the 1st time but I didn’t sit back. Have the perseverance to go forward and reach your dreams.
What is the connection between dancing, hairdressing and climbing?
When I was young, I wanted to be an
architect and a pilot. While waiting for my
AL results I did a hairdressing course for
two months. I loved it so much it,
I continued with it and it became my profession.
I also had a passion for dancing and was good at it. I still dance. I had the passion to climb
mountains from my early ages.
So, I think the connection between all of these occupations is my passion and desire for them.
Who inspired you to take this risk?
Initially it was my father. He started my climbing passion and motivated me when I was young.
When I was planning to climb Mount Everest, people told me that I was mad. Even my mother was upset. But my father said, “I have trained him to do this. He is sure that he could go, so why must we stop him?”
What are your special and unforgettable experiences on this journey?
The saddest part of the expedition was the accidents.
As I was climbing, I saw something fall from the summit. We all thought it was a person’s backpack. But it was actually a backpack, along with the owner. He fell down a little further from where we were. It was a moment
I would never forget.
One of the most remarkable experiences was the view on top of the mountain; it was so high that I could actually see the curvature of the Earth. That was the most unforgettable experience I ever had.
The winning Mobile Phone Photographs and more pictures of the event will be displayed on the Funday Times website which is due to be launched shortly.