I am Kantha Kumar de Abrew, a self taught enthusiast photographer. I am also an independent management consulting professional.
I had my primary and secondary education at Tissa Madya National School, Kalutara, a school which was founded by my late father. I earned a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of Ceylon, Peradeniya.
I started working as an office assistant with the Associated Motorways Group of Factories and left as the Resident General Manager to join Bata Shoe Company where I held senior positions in marketing, workstudy, purchasing, finance and production. I left Bata to join Lusaka Province Cooperative in Zambia as its Chief Accountant. Returning to Sri Lanka after five years I joined the British Council as their accountant and was promoted to the position of Assistant Director, Management which position I held for fifteen years.
I joined the Photographic Society of Sri Lanka in 1972 and was elected a life member. I was the president of the Society in 2006-7. I was introduced to the world of photography by my late uncle L A (Lewis) de Zoysa at the tender age of thirteen. L A de Zoysa owned Shanthi Vihar Saiva Cafe and surrounding lands
During my lifespan I was fortunate to visit Pakistan, India, Seychelles. Kenya, Zambia, Zimbabwe, England, Scotland, Wales, France, Switzerland, Germany, Holland, Malaysia, Thailand, Bangladesh, Singapore and Australia.
I am grateful to my late uncle, Sir Cyril de Zoysa who came home soon after I did my finals, took me in his car and gave me a job in his group of companies and Nagoda, Kalutara. He was an outstanding entrepreneur and social worker. He used to come to our home for lunch off and on. His menu is white rice, sprats, parippu and Mallum. He founded two schools in Kalutara, Kalutara Vidyalaya and Kalutara Balika. He owned over 600 buses at South Western Bus Company. He is the brains behind the vast Kalutara Bodhiya complex. He built the YMBA buildings in Borella and Colombo Fort, Kirivehera in Kataragama . He started his business owner as a co-owner of Swarnapali Transporters with only one lorry.
Sir Cyril was also a lawyer who practiced in the Kalutara Bar with my father. He was the President of the Senate at one time. I learnt a lot from Sir Cyril.
Take a look around in my portfolio!
Best regards, Kantha.