A dose of inspiration

‘I Am Inspired’ is a coffee table book with a collection of insights and reflections from inspirational leaders with Sri Lankan roots, and was launched on February 6 at UGA Residence in Park Street.

The book is the brainchild of Indira Kithsiri and Hashendra Wijesinha, two Sri Lankans in both identity and origin (though raised abroad).

The two kindred spirits met in Bentota, where they both realized there is no adequate platform to share the inspiring stories of successful Sri Lankans living in the country and around the world.

The sumptuous volume features 50 personalities, across eight chapters with each chapter dedicated to an area critical to Sri Lanka’s development.  

The eight categories are; Arts & Culture; Education; Science & Research; Human Rights & Philanthropy; Public policy & Governance; Sports & Adventure; Start-up & Enterprise; Sustainability & Conservation; and Tourism & Hospitality.

The criteria for selecting personalities included recognition of achievements, strong leadership, commitment to act as drivers of change and promote societal well-being, and exceptional self-awareness and an inclination for continuous self-development and learning.

The authors have striven to consolidate and present a gender-balanced and ethnically diverse group of people, representative of the heterogeneity of Sri Lanka’s population.

The 50 personalities were chosen via a public nominations portal to enable Sri Lankans to recognize individuals who have left a positive impact on them and their communities.

The nominees were then shortlisted, with five profiles ultimately chosen for each chapter, with the exception of the Start-up & Enterprise chapter, which features 10 profiles. Each chapter has a mentor, and the selection was done in consultation with them.

All proceeds from book sales will be donated to the Sparklers Foundation, which will run capacity-building programs for young Sri Lankans exhibiting exceptional entrepreneurial and leadership skills.

Part of the projects will be printing and distributing Sinhala and Tamil versions of I Am Inspired to high school students- with reflective exercises and career-planning tools alongside the stories.

The authors hope to collaborate with other organizations to guide teachers to effectively teach and create dialogue on the themes and stories of the inspiring personalities.