A successful professional hairstylist and entrepreneur, Johann Peries leads a life that extends well beyond his professional pursuits. An accomplished mountaineer with interests in dancing and acting, he has consistently challenged conventional boundaries, demonstrating that it is possible to pursue seemingly different passions with equal commitment and determination. His remarkable journey was the inspiration behind “Dream Big” with Johann Peries, an interactive session hosted by the High Commission of Sri Lanka in New Delhi on 26 October 2026, bringing together students from schools and universities in Delhi.
Best known for becoming the first Sri Lankan man to summit Mount Everest in 2018, Peries shared a story that went well beyond his achievements in mountaineering. He spoke candidly about the experiences that shaped his outlook on life, including a devastating road accident in 1997, surviving the Mumbai floods of 2005 and a life-threatening ordeal during an expedition to Island Peak in Nepal in 2012.
His account of Everest was particularly compelling. Having come within approximately 400 metres of the summit during his first attempt in 2016, an oxygen supply problem forced him to make the difficult decision to turn back. Rather than let the disappointment define him, he returned two years later, following intensive physical training, mental preparation and financial planning, and reached the summit on 22 May 2018. He has since pursued the Seven Summits Challenge, involving climbing the highest mountain on each of the world's seven continents.
Yet, it was perhaps his reflections on the discipline and choices behind his achievements that resonated most with the students. Continuing to work full-time as a professional hairstylist, Peries described how he balances his professional commitments with the demanding preparation required for mountaineering. Emphasising the importance of making deliberate choices in pursuit of one's ambitions, he reminded the students: “It is not about finding time, it is about making time.”
The students were eager to explore every aspect of his journey. Their questions ranged from the philosophical to the practical, touching on courage, fear, self-belief and the meaning of success, as well as the risks of high-altitude climbing, physical preparation and the sacrifices involved in pursuing extraordinary ambitions. The lively exchange offered an opportunity to engage with Peries not just as a mountaineer, but as an individual whose life challenges conventional ideas about careers, personal interests and what one can aspire to achieve.
Encouraging the students to pursue their own passions, he spoke about the importance of preparation, developing new skills, confronting fears and learning from setbacks. His message was simple: “Find your own mountains in life as you move forward.”
Students from Mount Abu Public School, CM SHRI School, Rohini, DBRA CM SHRI School, Paschim Vihar, Global Youth from Miranda House and Hindu College, University of Delhi, participated in the programme.
Through Dream Big, the High Commission sought to bring young people in Delhi into direct conversation with an inspiring Sri Lankan personality, offering them an opportunity to explore his experiences, perspectives and approach to life. The encounter was a reminder that there is no single path to achievement, that professional pursuits need not limit personal ambitions, and that the courage to explore one's passions can open up unexpected possibilities. For the students, it was an invitation to think beyond the familiar, dream beyond the conventional and, above all, discover the mountains they wish to climb in life.
High Commission of Sri Lanka,
New Delhi
03 November 2026