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Sri Lankan fashion designer and motivational speaker From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Nayana Ashcharya Peiris Jayakody (Sinhala: නයන අෂ්චර්යා පීරීස් ජයකොඩි) also known as Ashcharya Peiris, is a blind Sri Lankan fashion designer and motivational speaker.[1] She is the country's first visually impaired fashion designer and works for designer brand Christina Glory. She lost her eyesight in a suicide bomb blast in 2000.[2] She is regarded as the prominent disabled woman in the country.[clarification needed] She was the only Sri Lankan woman included in the BBC's list of 100 inspiring and influential women from around the world for 2019.[3][4]
Ashcharya Peiris | |
---|---|
Nationality | Sri Lankan |
Education | Devi Balika Vidyalaya |
Alma mater | Warwick University |
Occupation(s) | fashion designer, motivational speaker |
Known for | first Sri Lankan blind fashion designer |
After completing her primary education at the Devi Balika Vidyalaya, she pursued Diploma in English language from Warwick University.[5] After her graduation, she worked as a banker at the HSBC Bank (Hong Kong & Shanghai Business Corporation).
Peiris' life dramatically changed after becoming a victim to a suicide bomb blast claimed by the LTTE in March 2000 in Rajagiriya, when she was on her way to her home from bank while driving the car.[6] She lost her eyesight in a blast where nearly 21 people were killed and 47 people were injured. However she narrowly survived from the blast.[7] She lost her job due to her visual impairment and was abandoned by her family and friends.[citation needed]
Peiris changed her career and started work as a fashion designer founding a designer brand, Christina Glory in 2016. The brand has also featured in Ceylon Fashion Week.[1] She entered Sri Lanka's UP and Coming Fashion Designer Competition in 2014 where she was one of the finalists.[8]
in 2017 she was listed in the Top 10 Most Remarkable Women of Sri Lanka by the Independent Television Network, coinciding with International Women's Day.[9] She works as a volunteer to assist Sri Lanka Army through Arya Foundation.[10] She gives motivational speeches and lectures to young women, children and disabled people.[9]