King Sasanka – Sri Lankan Writer & Retired Aviation Professional.

The Art of "Closing the Loop": Why a Two-Word Reply Matters In the modern digital rush, we’ve developed a strange habit: treating human interactions like automated search results. We ask for a favour, receive the answer, and then simply walk away from the screen. We have all been there. A friend or acquaintance reaches out with a technical hurdle, perhaps they are struggling with a new AI tool or a confusing app interface. You take five or ten minutes out of your day, find the solution, hit "send," and then... nothing. No acknowledgement. No "received." Just the digital equivalent of crickets. It isn’t always a lack of time that causes this silence—often, it’s a simple unawareness of communal manners . We’ve forgotten that communication isn’t complete until the loop is closed.   For those of us who appreciate "old school" courtesy, this isn't about seeking a standing ovation or being a hero. It’s about a concept often overlook...

From Dropped Calls to Leaked Data: Why We Must Stop Being "Bystanders" to Corporate Negligence We have all grown accustomed to the occasional nuisance call, but a conversation I had today crossed a line from "annoying" to deeply concerning. I received a call from a young woman attempting to sell me an insurance policy. In her haste to entice me into a "limited offer," she let the cat out of the bag: she explicitly stated that this deal was reserved exclusively for Dialog customers. In that one sentence, the veil was lifted. It became clear that my status as a customer—and likely my contact details—had been shared or sold to a third party without my consent. The Irony of "Service" What makes this situation particularly bitter is the context. For the past three months, my entire neighborhood has been struggling with abysmal reception and unresolved capacity issues. While we battle "shitty" signal strength and dropped calls, the provider a...

The Rain-Soaked General: A Lesson in Leadership from Ratmalana In an era long before the instant gratification of SMS, WhatsApp, or email, life moved at the pace of a handwritten letter. Landlines were a rare luxury, and the arrival of a formal envelope from the college principal was an event of significant gravity.   Such was the case during one long school vacation more than five decades ago, when a letter arrived requesting our presence for a special duty: welcoming a visiting head of state at the Colombo Airport, Ratmalana .   The Journey to the Tarmac Dressed in crisp school uniforms, my brothers and I headed to college. The Principal, Mr H.C.L. De Silva , received us with a warmth that spoke of genuine appreciation. In those days, a principal’s rapport with his students and the leadership shown by senior prefects like my elder brother formed the backbone of the institution.   We were bundled into a classic Route 102 (Lunawa – Kotahena) double-decker bus, ...

The Crucible of Conflict: Why "Lost and Found" is the Ultimate Masterclass in Customer Service The evolution of Sri Lanka's national carrier, from its 1979 inception as Air Lanka under Singapore Airlines' tutelage to its modern identity as Sri Lankan Airlines, brought about significant structural shifts.  In the early 1980s, the "Customer Service" umbrella was vast, encompassing everything from Cargo to Inflight Services. Amidst these changes, a piece of advice from a Singaporean manager stood out: "If you really want to master customer service, you must work the Mishandled Baggage counter." At the time, the weight of that statement wasn't fully apparent. It was only years later, while working for a lean foreign carrier where multitasking was a necessity, that the wisdom of that advice became crystal clear. The 100% Conflict Ratio In most airline departments, the atmosphere is generally positive. At the check-in desk, perhaps 99% of pas...

Managing a sudden influx of wealth, whether through inheritance, property sale, or a business exit, requires a shift in mindset from earning to preserving .   In the current Sri Lankan economic landscape, where inflation and currency fluctuations are constant variables, the goal is to transform a "momentary win" into a "generational legacy."   Here is a strategic guide on the 10 must-do and 10 must-not-do actions to protect your windfall.   10 Must-Do Actions   1. Execute a "Financial Cooling-Off" Period Before making any major moves, place the funds in a high-yield liquid account or a short-term Fixed Deposit (FD) for 3 to 6 months. This prevents impulsive decisions driven by the "high" of the windfall and allows you to adjust to your new reality. 2. Build an "A-Team" of Professionals Sri Lankan tax laws and property regulations are complex. You need an independent Tax Consultant , a Reputable Lawyer (specialising in co...