THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, January 26, 1995 TAG: 9501240069
SECTION: NORFOLK COMPASS PAGE: 03 EDITION: FINAL
COLUMN: CLOSE-UP
SOURCE: VICKI LEWIS
LENGTH: Medium: 55 lines
A native of Sri Lanka, Para M. Jayasinghe, the city of Norfolk's chief traffic engineer, moved to Ottawa, Canada, with his family as a child.
After earning a bachelor's degree in civil engineering and a master's degree in traffic engineering from Carleton University in Ottawa, Jayasinghe took a job in his field in Toronto. From there, the city of Norfolk sponsored and brought Jayasinghe to Norfolk, or as he puts it, ``from the Great White North to the Virginia waterfront. Since his move to Virginia, he has earned a master's degree in public administration from Old Dominion University.
Many of his relatives still live in Canada, and he makes frequent trips there.
Name: Para M. Jayasinghe
Nickname: P.J.
What brought you to Norfolk: The weather . . . came down from Canada
Birthplace: Sri Lanka
Birthdate: Feb. 15, 1961
Occupation: Chief traffic engineer for the city of Norfolk
Marital status: Married
Children: None
Last Book Read: ``Crab With a Golden Claw'' by Herge
Favorite movie: ``Casablanca,'' ``Pulp Fiction''
Favorite magazine: Conde Nast Traveler
If you could trade places for just one day with anyone in the world, who would it be and why? My wife . . . to see the world through her eyes
Biggest accomplishment: Building my own house
Most embarrassing moment: Building my own house
If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be? Slow down
Perfect way to spend the day: Walk in the morning, old movies, evening with close friends
Favorite vacation spot: California, New York City
Pet peeve: Bad drivers
First job: Dishwasher
Worst job: Moving
Hobbies: Travel, old (classic) movies
Favorite restaurant: Bienville Grill, Dumbwaiter
What do you like most about Norfolk? Downtown
What do you like least about Norfolk? Under-utilization of its waterfront areas ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by RICHARD L. DUNSTON
by CNB