Even today, at nearly 68, I don’t know what I am. If you push too hard, you might fail under the guilt and weight of expectation. Sometimes, if you don’t try too hard, things come naturally.
Ashok Ferrey is regarded as one of Sri Lanka’s most eclectic and multifaceted personalities. Over the course of his life, he has been a mathematician, a construction professional, a fitness trainer, and an acclaimed writer. He brought all these experiences and more to the stage when he joined Fame Game, hosted by Kumar de Silva and Rozanne Diasz, for a wide-ranging conversation. The discussion was humorous, candid, and deeply reflective, offering the audience a glimpse into the mind of a man who has never been afraid to reinvent himself. Speaking openly about his quirks, his philosophy on life, the secret behind his long marriage, his many career shifts, and his latest literary work, Ferry reminded us of why he continues to stand out as a compelling figure in Sri Lanka’s cultural landscape. His ability to weave intellect with wit, while reflecting on both personal and professional experiences, makes him not just an artist or a writer, but a storyteller whose life itself reads like an unfolding narrative.
Q You’ve always had a quirky dress sense, but today you’ve turned up in a jacket, rare for you. Do you normally resist formality?
You are very lucky. I mean it, you wouldn’t normally get me into a jacket. Usually, it’s just a T-shirt and jeans, that’s me. I never go anywhere by car because mine wouldn’t make it, so I always arrive by tuk-tuk. Honestly, I feel more comfortable that way.
Q Don’t you feel inadequate surrounded by people in formal wear?
On the contrary, I feel much better. People may look down on me, and that’s the beautiful part. It’s what they don’t say that’s most interesting. The disbelief in their eyes says it all.
Q And when they realize you’re the Ashok Ferrey?
Sometimes their attitude changes, and honestly, that’s disappointing. You should treat people alike regardless of who they are. If someone suddenly respects me more just because I’m Ashok Ferrey, then it’s not real.
Q Your wife Mandy is always impeccably dressed. What’s the secret to your marriage of over three decades?
Mandy has been trying to reform me for years. We’ve been married for about 32 years, though I’ve lost count! She knew me long before I became “Ashok Ferrey.” She likes to say that she married someone else and ended up as Mrs. Ashok Ferrey. That gave us both a special bond. It’s like we share a secret that nobody else knows, and that strengthens our relationship.
Q The Ferry family is full of stars now. Your son Rehan Mudannayake is a filmmaker, and your daughter Francesca Mudannayake is one of Sri Lanka’s finest jazz singers. Did you have expectations for them?
No, not really. We never really discuss the arts together. The three of us are quite individual, and I think that’s a strength, not a weakness. We don’t go in the same direction, unlike a doctor father having a doctor son. Yes, all three of us are involved in the arts, but in different branches. We were very easygoing with our children and gave them free rein to follow their passions.
Q You’ve lived in so many countries and pursued multiple careers. Nowadays, we often see teenagers unsure about what they want to do in life. What are your thoughts on this?
I’ve never really known what I wanted to be. Even today, at nearly 68, I don’t know what I am. If you push too hard, you might fail under the guilt and weight of expectation. Sometimes, if you don’t try too hard, things come naturally. You have to be willing to wait for the breeze. For me, life is like sitting in a boat, waiting for the breeze to come. When it does, it pushes me in a certain direction, and I follow. That’s how I moved from being a builder to a writer, and then a trainer. It’s not so much about abandoning one thing as it is about allowing something else to come forward. You do the best you can! Planning too much often leads to disappointment. If you go with the flow, you can’t be disappointed. Of course, you need a dose of realism. Not everyone can be the greatest writer or artist. You have to recognize your limits. Acceptance is important.
Q Which of your books is your favorite?
That’s like asking a mother who her favorite child is, and it’s unfair to ask. My first book, Colpetty People, is still my most popular. I wrote it almost 29 years ago, and it remains a bestseller. But the hardest book to write was my most recent one, about my father’s death. He died in 2000, and it took me over 20 years to write it. The process was painful, every time I wrote a page, something similar would happen with my mother, who was dying at the time. It was uncanny and terrible. But writing it gave me closure.
Q Do you do extensive research for your books?
Not at all. I write what’s authentic to me. I’m not one of those who spends years researching. That’s how I approach writing.
Q What happened with the Colombo Literary and Arts Festival? Are you still involved?
Yes, it’s ongoing! I’m still involved, though I took a break for a year. There was no divorce or falling out. Again, it comes back to my boat-and-breeze philosophy. I knew that if I stayed too long, I would get stale. I literally handpicked the next curator.
Q Do you have any regrets about the choices you’ve made in life?
Yes, of course. When I left London as a builder, I had 84 freeholds there, which I sold. I cashed them in and came back because I didn’t see myself living in London. London felt boring to me, and I didn’t want that life, it just didn’t appeal to me. After returning to Sri Lanka, it was a tumultuous time with the JVP violence, and I sometimes think, “I could have had that life, driving around in a posh car and living in a nice house.”
Q Tell us about your upcoming book
It’s called Hot Butter Cuttlefish. I had about 20 different titles, but nobody could agree. Finally, I went with the most outrageous one. The book is written from the perspective of a personal trainer, and it’s a dark comedy. Most of the characters are based on real people. My daughter told me it was unpublishable because it’s politically incorrect, but I think that’s exactly why people should read it.
Q Why should someone read your next book?
To be entertained. Like my first book, it’s something people can pick up when they’re in a bad mood, read a few pages, laugh, and feel better. It’s comfort food in the form of a book.
Q What’s next for Ashok Ferrey?
I don’t plan much. I let the breeze decide. There are probably new avenues ahead, but I’ll discover them when they come. For now, the book is my focus. Beyond that, who knows?
