Life style

Upali Wijewardene: He reached for the stars

Published

4 years ago

2022/02/13

On a day like this 39 years ago on February 13, 1983, Sri Lanka’s much loved business leader, Upali Wijewardene, who captured the imagination of an entire nation vanished without trace in his Lear jet with five others on board. They were returning to Colombo from Malaysia where his Kandos chocolates had hit dizzy heights.

His disappearance engulfed the the region with shock and disbelief. US Orion surveillance aircraft, Soviet and Australian warships, Indonesian minesweepers, Indian airplanes, Malaysian patrol boats and Sri Lankan fishermen were all mobilized in search operations to no avail. ‘What if Upali lived? What really happened to Upali?’ continue to be yet unanswered questions.

If Upali Wijewardene was a sensation in life, he was elevated to a legend after he went missing just four days short of his 45th birthday.

Wild theories about his disappearance were floated around and Colombo’s children of the 80s were said to have devised a game called ‘Finding Upali’s Plane.’ A larger than life figure and a maverick who embraced life with such gusto had disappeared; but he continues to live in the heart of a nation.

The Sunday Island recaps the saga of its founder who was once dubbed ‘the ‘Quintessential Entrepreneur of Asia’ and ‘the man who would be President’

By Randima Attygalle

“My philosophy is to do what you know how to do well and from this I mean you must have the knowledge right all the way through…” reflected Philip Upali Wijewardene, or ‘PUW” as he was fondly called, in an interview with the Malaysian Business in December, 1981. In a technologically austere time, long before the digital revolution when a direct international call had to be ‘booked.’ Wijewardene plunged into chocolate-making, assembly of cars, newspaper publishing, aviation, plantations and much more. As was once documented, ‘the success story of Upali, is the story of how small Asian companies can grow into multinational corporations. It was a precursor of the coming of age of the ‘entrepreneurial Asian.’

Philip Upali Wijewardene was born on February 17, 1938 to Don Walter Wijewardene (from Sedawatta walauwa ) and Anula Kalyanawathi Wijesinghe (from Miriswatta Walauwa) at his famous paternal grandmother Helena Wijewardene’s mansion, Sri Ramya, in Colombo (where the present American Centre stands). Upali grew up amidst the affection of his two older sisters, Anoja and Kalyani and a bevy of cousins. He received his kindergarten education at Ladies’ College and later at Royal College, Colombo. When he turned 15, Upali was sent off to St. John’s School Leatherhead in England. Having read Economics at the University of Cambridge, the 21-year-old debonair Wijewardene returned home in 1959 and was recruited by Lever Brothers as a Management Trainee. The corporate rigours and an eternally irate boss left the young recruit drained in two years.

Having quit Levers in 1961, the blue-blooded Wijewardene did not fall back on his family wealth but sought his own fortune first with a friend’s ailing confectionery plant which he re-baptized as Delta and a few years later with Kandos – the brand promoted by Ceylon Chocolates Ltd. In 1970, with the demise of its founder Chairman, Senator Sarath Wijesinghe, his nephew Upali Wijewardene who was expanding his business empire took over the reins of that company.

True to Wijewardene’s philosophy: ‘plunge in and get on with it’, the expanding fully-fledged cocoa processing plants and factories in Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand enabled Kandos to be internationally present and rub shoulders with Nabisco, Mars, Cadbury and Hershey’s. At the time of his disappearance, Wijewardene claimed to be the only fully-integrated cocoa processor in Asia, with businesses ranging from growing cocoa to manufacturing cocoa-based consumer products. The cocoa tree which still adorns the Upali Group’s head office in Colombo and the taller tree which once stood at the door to his luxurious home in Pantai Hills in Kuala Lumpur, which he aptly named ‘Cocoa Hill’, says it all.

Following his uncle D.R. Wijewardene, the press baron, he went on to launch The Island and Divaina snubbing feasibility studies of foreign experts who warned him that the national newspaper market was already saturated. The exercise, as he alluded to the Insight magazine in May, 1981 five months ahead of its launch, was one of his ‘fun-projects’ but analysts say that political ambitions down the road were part of the story.

Just two months following the success of the newspaper, in an interview with a Malaysian business journal, Wijewardene gleefully remarked: “it must be a world record of some sort.” He went onto note that the newspaper’s popularity probably has more to do with editorial policy and style, adding tongue-in-cheek: “they said there was no market, but people must have got tired of reading gazettes!” As the founder editor of the Island, Vijitha Yapa once recalled, Wijewardene was “an editor’s ideal publisher who never interfered with the independence of the newspaper.”

The present Managing Director and CEO of the Upali Group of Companies, Nimal Welgama recollects: “Upali was a man with tremendous energy which he employed in everything he did. He was mischievous, had a sense of fun and in the last lap of his life, not only gave of himself to his many private enterprises but also contributed his time and skill for public purposes; hence his period as Chairman and Director General of the Greater Colombo Economic Commission (GCEC), the predecessor of the Board of Investment (BOI).”

Having worked for the Upali Group as a young man, Welgama recounts his one-time boss ‘making waves in his own inimitable style.’ “He was ever conscious that his father died young and he did not expect to attain a venerable old age. At the time his life was so tragically snuffed out, he used to say that the accent is on enjoying”.

The emblem of the business group he set up – the blazing copper sun with a ‘U’ in the middle was a motif of Wijewardene’s own personality says the Upali Group’s CEO. “The warmth of his personality, like that of the sun, was felt by the many people he befriended. He was good to his employees, people who served him at various levels, and in return had not only their loyalty but their affection.”

From steering a multinational to being the Chief Basnayake Nilame of the Kelani Raja Maha Vihara, Wijewardene donned many hats. His string of thoroughbreds and Labradors stole a large part of his heart. His beloved ‘Charlie’ is said to have kept a long vigil for months after he disappeared, waiting for his master who never returned.

“My late uncle Upali’s signature facet was his love for speed. This he applied in expanding his business empire. He bought a Lear jet and obtained a Red Passport as the Chairman of GCEC because he was a man for speed and a fast decision-maker. Even his other indulgences including his love for horse and car racing reflected this,” recollects nephew, Dhammika Attygalle who was 18 at the time of his uncle’s disappearance and is now a Director of the Upali Group of Companies.

Sporting his ‘Red and Gold Cross Slash’, Wijewardene’s Rasa Penang, Varron, Kandos-Man, General Atty, King of Zulu and Cornwall Garden shone at Royal Ascot, Singapore Derby and Perak Derby, ridden by none other than Lester Piggot. “One time Chairman of the Board of Stewards of the Sri Lanka Turf Club, he would even do a tarmac transfer to his helicopter and would make it to Nuwara Eliya, sometimes just minutes before races were to start.

The luxury S-Class Mercedes Benz 116 which he imported from Malaysia was the first of its kind in Sri Lanka. Upali mama used to travel to Nuwara Eliya or Kamburupitiya (his maternal home town) after dinner to save time and to reach the destination fast,” recollects Attygalle who goes on to note that his late uncle initiated Ruhunu Udanaya Movement to develop his maternal home town Kamburupitiya from where he had ambitions of being elected to Parliament..

A fan of Victor Ratnayake, C.T.Fernando and Milton Perera, Wijewardene would also enjoy the country-western timbre of Jim Reeves, who as he had once conceded, ‘puts him in a pensive mood for thinking up new business schemes.’

Having built a global corporation which spanned several countries including Malaysia, Singapore and the USA in the 1970s and the early 80s in an era of snail mail, telegrams and pre-booked international calls when communicating with people abroad took weeks and travel overseas was expensive and a luxury, her late uncle’s confidence and ‘can do’ attitude inspired her, says niece Lakmini Wijesundera, Co-founder and CEO of IronOne Technologies and BoardPAC. “Today, we have instant communication access and the speed of business is fast-tracked. Asia and the South East Asian regions have comparably good infrastructure to perform. Therefore, the great strides and speed at which he operated despite the obstacles in a technologically-Spartan era is outstanding and stands out among the rest even by today’s standards,” says Wijesundera, a successful entrepreneur herself.

She further remarks that her uncle had his sights up high and was not discouraged by past benchmarks. Therefore, he was able to carve new paths and futures and created an impact in the minds and hearts of Lankans whom he inspired to ‘dream big.’ He hammered home the message that we didn’t necessarily have to be conservative in what we wished to attain.

“His focus on branding was unmatched,” reflects Wijesundera who points out that the Free Trade Zones and concepts of similar nature were supported and led by him to create a fresh economic future for Sri Lanka – models which were innovative then and sucessfully adopted by several other countries in the region.

Watching her Upali mama’s helicopter landing on the flat roof of his Thurstan Road residence was an unforgettable memory for young Lakmini and her siblings. “We were so excited to be part of this rare experience at that time,” she smiles adding that she recalls him to be full of life with a great sense of humour and always with a smile. Thirteen years old at the time her uncle vanished, Wijesundera who relished her mother’s stories about her brother ‘starting from scratch with great determination at a young age.’ She believes that her Upali mama personified the belief that anything is possible with the correct mindset- a mantra that she believes in today.

A man who would think big, Wijewardene would advance from Upali Fiat and UMC Mazda to ‘Upali Aviation’. – the only domestic flight which would bridge the North and the South. The halting of the operations of the Upali Airline was a double whammy to fellow Jaffna countrymen who not only saw the flight as a vehicle of better communication between Jaffna and Colombo but also its founder as a harbinger of hope who would have possibly bridged the economic disparity between North and South.

Describing Wijewardene as ‘Sri Lanka’s most colourful businessman who has made a fortune both at home and abroad’, Matt Miller in his article under the banner ‘The man who would be President’ documents in May, 1981, ‘now he is turning his abundant energies and resources to a new arena; politics.’ Noting that ‘Upali’s current passion for politics is matched only by his passion for racehorses,’ Miller goes onto write: “And now the 43-year-old commodities wizard has started what could be called Upali’s Third 20-Year-Plan: ‘The first 20 years were education,” he says, “the second business and the third politics.” He would “be willing”, he says with uncharacteristic restraint to become president of Sri Lanka someday.”

With his suave personality and witty repartee, Wijewardene was a darling of the press. Adorning cover pages of coveted international business journals, he still remains the only home-grown Sri Lankan entrepreneur owning a multi-national to have been featured in the prestigious Fortune magazine.

The present Editor of the Sunday Times, Sinha Ratnatunga, then a young journalist who was one of the close acquaintances of Wijewardene privy to the last moments of the tycoon recollects: “When Upali left for the airport around 6.30 p.m. that day, I left at the same time for Ana Seneviratne’s residence. He was then the High Commissioner for Sri Lanka in Kuala Lumpur. I was to stay there until I flew to join my father who was in Jakarta.

The High Commissioner was getting calls well past midnight and it was only in the morning I heard that Upali’s plane hadn’t arrived in Colombo. I was not particularly taken aback or overly concerned straightaway thinking it was typical of him to go off the beaten track as Upali could be so unconventional even in his planes. It was only by midday while at Genting Highlands watching the cable cars going about that I got that eerie feeling that the plane must be missing.”

As veteran journalist Ajith Samaranayake once commented, “politicians Sri Lanka had known before (included) poets, pundits, scholars, sportsmen, film stars and singers alike. Philip Upali Wijewardene, however, did not belong to any of these moulds. He was not moulded out of the common clay. He broke the mould and reshaped it closer to his heart’s desire.” In Wijewardene’s own words his image in the villages is of “an international businessman of whom they are proud… The villager identifies only with success and for the youth I am probably the culmination of their aspirations.”

On a personal note, although I was merely a child at the time of Mr. Wijewardene’s untimely demise, I was fortunate to have become a part of the legacy he left behind for Sri Lankan journalism. While Kandos chocolates, Delta toffees, his landmark home in Colombo and the resplendent Nuwara Eliya bungalow and its garden- (which often clinched the ‘Best Garden’ award during the April season) and his Lear jet were motifs I often associated with him as a young child, becoming part of his newspaper allowed me a vantage point to this towering personality.

One of my favourite research subjects, I often hear anecdotes about this trendsetter by my senior colleagues. My editor Manik de Silva who was Mr. Wijewardene’s first choice to edit The Island (which he has recounted under the title The job I didn’t take) has many stories I have savoured – particularly the one about the young Upali knowing he had got the Lever Brothers management trainee job when the sudda boss took him and his rival to the Galle Face Hotel to lunch to check out their table manners. “When my rival titled his soup bowl towards himself and not the other way, I knew I had the job,” Upali had said,

My other colleagues Zanita Careem and Anneston Weerasinghe who were recruited by Mr. Wijewardene more than 40 years ago remember him as a man of infectious charisma who would turn heads not just once but twice.

I’m only humbled to have clinched the award given in his name (Upali Wijewardene Feature Writer of the Year) multiple times – twice from a newspaper he founded. I’m indeed fortunate to have become part of the publication he founded 40 years ago as a platform for liberal expression without fear or favour.

Each time I hear the rustle of the wind blowing through the cocoa tree he planted in the Upali compound, and look at the splendid dome of St. Lucia’s Cathedral nearby towering overhead, I remember Elton John’s Candle in the wind he sang for Marylin Monroe.:

‘And I would have liked to have known you

But I was just a kid

Your candle burned out long before

Your legend ever did….’

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Life style

The Thinnai heartbeat of Northern tourism

Published

5 days ago

2026/07/5

Thilina Walpola

Sorrounded by lush greenary and tranquil open spaces

As Northern Sri Lanka continues to emerge as one of the island’s most competing destinations , The Thinnai hotel stands as a shining ambassador of the region, a place where timeless traditions meet contemporary luxury, where every stay tells a story.This is a place where visitors leave not only with cherished memories but also with a deeper appreciation of the culture, warmth and enduring spirit of Jaffna.

The Thinnai Hotel is for more than a luxury retreat, it is a celebration of Jaffna’s heritage, hospitality and residence. From its 39 all suite accommodation, inspired by tourism revival, welcoming travellers from around the world while creating opportunities for local communities and preserving cultural tradition, at this place every stay creates lasting memories.

Tucked away just a few kilometers from the heart of Jaffna. The Thinnai hotel is more than a luxury boutique hotel, it is a destination that celebrates the heritage, hospitality and timeless traditions of Northern Sri Lanka. Inspired by the traditional Tamil Thinnai, the raised verandah where families and neighbours once gathered to welcome guests and share stories, the hotel transforms the cultural symbol into a contemporary travel experience.

Designed around authentic Jaffna architecture, The Thinnai hotel blends elegant all suite accommodation with peace and relaxation.

Every suite reflects a harmonious balance between traditions and modern comfort, making it an ideal place for couples, families, tourists and business travellers. Beyond its luxurious setting, The Thinnai serves as a gateway to the cultural treasures of Jaffna. Guests can easily visit economic landmarks, such as the Nallur Temple, explore colonial era architecture, discover local markets, savour Jaffna cuisine and experience the warmth of Tamil hospitality. As tourism continues to grow in the Northern Province, The Thinnai hotel stands as one of Jaffna’s most distinctive hospitality landmark, the region’s rich cultural heritage with contemporary luxury.

: As the sun sets in the evening the tea kade comes alive

: Spacious elegantly appointed rooms providing comfort and privacy

: Hands on journey into one of Jaffna’s oldest traditional craft

: Striking exterior – graceful blend of traditional architecure and contemporary design

This hotel is a cultural ambassador that connects visitors from all over the world with traditions, history and hospitality of Jaffna.

The affable and General Manager, Selvarajah Roshanth, is focussed on delivering exceptional guest experiences, maintaining high hospitality standards and promoting Jaffna as a premier tourist destination in Northern Sri Lanka. He leads with warmth,vision and an unwavering commitment to authentic northern hospitality. He showcases the best of Sri Lanka’s north. He brings a wealth of experience and the guest first philosphy to The Thinnai hotel.

Roshanth is recognised for his warm approachable and guest centric leadership style, and when asked why this hotel is different in this region, he said ‘The Thinnai is not just a hotel, it is an authentic expression of Jaffna’s identity. What makes us different is that we don’t simply offer accommodation. We offer an immerseive cultural experience”

Feast on authentic flavours

Thinnai farm: Beauty of sustainable agricuture

Refreshing oasis where guests can unwind

Dedicated team

Selvarajah Roshanth,whose vision and leadership continue to elevate property’s elevation

Looking ahead, he explained The Thinnai aims to further strengthen its position as Northern Sri Lanka’s leading boutique hospitality destination by enhancing its great experiences, curating more authentic, cultural and culinary activities and expanding its sustainability initiatives.

‘We make plans to deepen its engagement with local communities through environmental conservation, hospitality training programmes and educational CSR projects ensuring that tourism growth directly benefits the people of the North.

The Thinnai hotel offers 39 spacious all suite accommodations, thoughtfully designed to blend traditional Jaffna architecture with modern luxury. The accommodation includes deluxe, suites, superior suites, luxury suites, and Presidential suites, and each suite is equipment with modern amenities such as an air-conditioner, wifi, led, TVs, mini bar refrigerator and comfortable living spaces.

The Thinnai offers a memorable culinary journey that celebrates the rich flavours of Jaffna while also catering to international tastes. Guests can enjoy specialities like Jaffna crab curry, Jaffna Cool, Dosai, Idiyappam, other sea food dishes and themed buffet nights followed by cultural shows.

A visit to the Thinnai farm is one of the highlights of staying at this hotel because it offers guests an authentic connection to Jaffna’s agricultural heritage and sustainable way of life. This farm supplies many of the fresh ingredients used in the hotel kitchens ensuring a genuine farm to table experience. It is an opportunity to appreciate the region’s rich agricultural traditions, breathe in the tranquil countryside and understand how sustainability and local culture are woven into everyday life. Guests can stroll through thriving vegetable gardens, gaining a first hand appreciation of farm to table experience. One of the unique cultural experiences offered through the Thinnai is the opportunity to discover the art of Jaffna pottery. We saw the traditional pottery making experience highlighting the rich artistic heritage of Northern Sri Lanka while supporting local artisans and presenting centuries old traditions. We saw the skilled artisans demonstrating techniques that have been passed down though generations.

The visit is more than a sightseeing excursion, it is an immersion into one of Jaffna’s oldest living crafts. This activity is part of the Thinnai commitment connecting travellers with authentic Northern Sri Lankan culture. A visit to the pottery village perfectly complements a stay at ‘The Thinnai leaving all of us with a deeper appreciation of the North’s reach cultural identity and timeless craftsmanship.”

Life style

Dr. Hina Shah’s vision for inclusive growth

Published

5 days ago

2026/07/5

Thilina Walpola

Empowering women, inspiring change, building a stronger tomorrow - Dr Hina Shah with Counsellor Development and Head of Cooperation, Canadian High Commission in Sri Lanka Kiril Lordanov, Secretary General and Executive Director Canadian Chamber of Commerce , Sri Lanka, M/s Nilupul De Silva

Empowering women, transforming economies

The Canadian Chamber of Commerce in Sri Lanka (CanCham SL) recently hosted an insightful dialogue on Women’s Development, Economic Empowerment, and the Sustainability of Small and Medium Enterprises, bringing together business leaders, policymakers, and entrepreneur, to explore practical pathways towards inclusive economic growth.

The event highlighted the critical role women play in driving economic progress and innovation.

Discussion focussed on creating opportunities for women entrepreneurs, improving access to finance, strengthening leadership capabilities and addressing barriers that continue to limit women’s full participation in the economy.

A key feature of the dialogue was the emphasis on SME sustainability participants and examined how small and medium sized enterprises can remain resistent in a rapidly evolving business environment though innovation, digital transformation, sustainable business practises and stronger public, private partnerships. SMEs which form the backbone of Sri Lanka’s economy, were recognised as a vital contribution to employment generation and community development.

Where ideas inspiration and opportunities came together

Among the distinguished speakers was Dr. Hina Shah, Founder International Centre for Entrepreneurship Development and Career Development (Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India) who shared valuable insights on leadership innovation and the importance of creating eco systems that enable women to thrive in business. Hosted by the Canadian Chamber of Commerce in Sri Lanka (CanCham) her address underscored the need for mentorship, access to networks and supportive policies that help women led business scale to succeed.

The keynote speaker, Dr. Hina Shah, shared insights from decades of work empowering women entrepreneurs. She highlighted how women-led enterprises drive economic progress and social transformation, drawing on India’s experience in building resilient ecosystems. Dr Shah’s experience bring a rare combination of visionary leadership, proven institutional models, global development experience, scalable implementation systems and many high impact initiatives.

She said ‘ “Established with support from Global Affairs Canada and under the patronage of the Canadian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, CanCham SL is committed to strengthening trade, investment, innovation, and people-to-people ties between Sri Lanka and Canada. Advancing women’s economic participation is a central priority, aligned with Canada’s commitment to gender equality and inclusive growth.

Powerful conversation on leadership, innovation and economic empowerment

The dialogue focussed on practical strategies to improve market access, strengthen business eco systems, enhance financial inclusion, and support the long-term sustainability of women-led SMEs.

Looking Ahead

CanCham SL announced plans to form a core stakeholder group with representatives from Sri Lanka, Canada, and the wider Indo-Pacific region to develop a long-term strategic framework for women’s entrepreneurship and SME development.

The Chamber will also host an Economic Summit for Women to scale these discussions, showcase successful women-led enterprises, and forge partnerships for investment and innovation across the region.

CanCham SL remains committed to working with governments, development partners, and business leaders to create an enabling environment where women can thrive as leaders and drivers of economic transformation.

The Secretary General and Executive Director, Canadian Chamber of Commerce in Sri Lanka M/s Nilupul De Silva said: “At the Canadian Chamber of Commerce in Sri Lanka, we believe that empowering women is not only a matter of quality but also a key driver of economic growth and sustainable development. Today’s discussion reflects our commitment to building a bridge between Sri Lanka and Canada while encouraging collaboration across the public and private sectors. Together, we can create opportunities that enable women-led businesses to thrive and contribute meaningfully to national development.’’ She extended her sincere gratitude to partners, sponsors and all participates for being part of this important conversation and to continue working together to inspire change, strengthen SMEs, and build a future where every woman has the opportunity to lead, innovate and succeed.

This event aligns with CanCham Sri Lanka’s broader vision of promoting inclusive growth, entrepreneurship, innovation and sustainable development while strengthening economic ties between Sri Lanka and Canada. Through initiatives, such as this, the chamber aims to create meaningful opportunities that enable women entrepreneurs to thrive, contribute to job creation and play a greater role in shaping Sri Lanka’s economic future.

The event was held CanCham SL office Horton Place.

By Zanita Careem

Life style

Echoes of the Past: A Conversation with Priyalal Sirisena

Published

5 days ago

2026/07/5

Thilina Walpola

Priyalal Sirisena

When Attorney and former The Island journalist Priyalal Sirisena turned his attention to fiction, the result was Deyyange Atha (The God’s Elephant)—a striking debut that was shortlisted for the 2025 Swarna Pusthaka Awards. Drawing deeply from his background in human rights and the rule of law, Sirisena’s novel cuts through the glamour of 19th-century history to expose elite corruption and the endless cycle of political power plays. In this interview, the author discusses how the plight of the common man inspired his unique narrative structure.

Q: Your recent novel, Deyyange Atha, takes place during a highly turbulent chapter of Sri Lankan history. What drew you to the twilight of the Kandyan Kingdom as the backdrop for this story?

A: The era of the Nayakkara dynasty is fascinating because it was defined by a massive crisis of legitimacy. You had a foreign-lineage monarchy ruling over a deeply resentful Sinhalese nobility. Figures like Ehelepola Adigar weren’t just fighting the King; they were actively scheming with external colonial powers to upend the throne.

What struck me most was the rhetoric. Both the King and the aristocracy claimed they were acting purely to “save the motherland,” when in reality, it was a raw, unadulterated scramble for control. I wanted to strip away the grand political and look at how this endless friction ground down the ordinary citizens who had no stake in their power games.

Q: You have expressed some skepticism about how history is portrayed in modern Sri Lankan media. How does your book counter that?

A: what I see is that, much of our contemporary art, television, and cinema treats history like a glossy escapist fantasy. We are fed a steady diet of romanticised national pride. I think it completely erases the realities of the commoners.

Lately, history has also been weaponised. It’s used as a beautiful distraction to hide modern political failures or to fuel ethnic division and chauvinism. When you wrap corruption in the flag of “national interest,” people get mesmerised. They get so caught up in the emotional high of nationalism that they forget their own empty stomachs. I think it is a challenge for any artist to counter this treand.

Q: In your novel, a single elephant serves as the catalyst for the entire plot, instead of focusing purely on human political figures. Why did you choose an animal to anchor a historical political critique?

A: The elephant is the lens through which we see the entire social hierarchy fracture. The story actually sparks into motion with a violent act—the killing of this magnificent creature by a British covert operative, Major Hardy.

Once this elephant enters the picture in rural Sabaragamuwa, it completely upends the status quo. It stops being just an animal and becomes a flashpoint. The King demands it as a symbol of his absolute right to rule, while the Adigar is pushed to his limits trying to secure it. By tracking the ripples of this one elephant’s fate, we see a mirror reflection of how every layer of society—from the poorest peasant to the highest noble—is ultimately broken by the regime’s ambitions.

Q: Some readers might find the narrative structure unconventional, as certain pivotal events are retold multiple times. What was the philosophy behind this stylistic choice?

A: The repetition isn’t accidental; it is the literal thesis of the book. History is a broken record. The exact systemic failures, abuses of power, and political manipulations we saw in the 1800s are playing out on our news feeds today.

By forcing the reader to witness the death of the elephant through several conflicting viewpoints, I am issuing a challenge. The reader may find it frustrating to read the same event repeated across a few chapters, but at the same time, so incredibly tolerant of history repeating its worst tragedies in our actual lives. The novel intends to question this tolerance.

Q: The book concludes with a fascinating, rather dark leap forward in time. What guided that final twist?

A: The final chapter jumps 50 years into the future, viewed through the eyes of an English traveller during the height of the colonial coffee plantation era. He witnesses locals performing gruelling acts of penance to appease the spirit of a deceased local chieftain—the man who had terrorised and exploited that very same village half a century prior.

The tragic paradox is that the oppressor had been elevated to a deity. Decades later, the descendants of his victims are praying for his spirit’s return, seemingly willing to trade their freedom for familiar tyranny. It speaks to a very painful human truth that we still see in modern politics: our habit of deifying and worshiping the very leaders who exploit us.

Q: Following the critical success of being shortlisted for the Swarna Pusthaka Awards, what can you share about your next literary venture?

A: Yes, I am actually putting the finishing touches on my second novel, which I hope to publish later this year. Chronologically, it revisits a similar historical era, allowing me to dig even deeper into the socio-political undercurrents of that time period through an entirely new lens.