Exploring the rich multicultural history of Devon.

Shajeev Wanigasekara

Posted on

19th December 2024

Posted by

Wendy Milne

Posted in

Ilfracombe Community Stories, News

Shajeev speaks about his childhood, particularly schooling and how his school was an example of a colonial legacy. He had a fantastic time and considers it a very important part of his identity.

University and his studies were dipped into next, along with discussions on family who had already been in the UK for some time and this support system he had.

After a brief mention of his job at HSBC, Shajeev discusses his move to Singapore and then Hong Kong in 2004/2005. He found Hong Kong difficult and not very inclusive. He found it difficult to make friends and left in 2010 before returning 2-3 times a year afterwards. Now he is feeling more nostalgic towards it and views it differently.

He mentions his Buddhist to Christian to Atheist journey.

Discussions on family – his dad being the first Sri Lankan to join the prestigious Hill Club in the 1960s. Discussions of The Bar, HSBC, military parallels.

He sees people he knows everywhere due to his global experiences – people he went to school with, trained, worked alongside.

Discussion of how he became a Magistrate and gained his permanent residence and citizenship in 2020 after moving to Devon in 2015 to be with his wife.

Feels Britain in the 1990s was less divided but never really had bad experiences barring one time on Brexit vote day when someone said “Ha! You’ll be gone by next year!” as he got off the train to Tiverton.

His proudest work achievement is the differences he makes in people’s lives as a trainer.

 

Highlight 1: Childhood || Early schooling || Coming to London for university || Loving the UK (also cricket!) [00:00:00 – 00:09:50]

Highlight 2: Cricket in Ilfracombe || Confidence|| Trying to take care of oneself || Visiting Europe as a child || Identity [00:09:52 – 00:17:39]

Highlight 3: Rare/almost never experienced discrimination here || Proudest achievements [00:17:41 – 00:22:40]

Listen to Shajeev’s full interview here:

 

Click on Shajeev’s image to read a full transcript of his interview.
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