Former navy commander Thisara Samarasinghe has finally settled into a more peaceful life, but he is mostly enjoying it alone.
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The former leader of the Sri Lankan navy, who started his ambassador posting in the nation's capital in late 2011, says his country has gone from strength to strength since the end of the decades-long civil war against the Tamil Tigers in the north.
And while he speaks passionately about the progress in his native country and his love for the land, the strong connection he maintains from Canberra stems from more than a good diplomatic partnership.
Wife Malathie, daughter Nadeesha, 23, and son Harith, 18, have all remained back home.
Luckily he does have some company in the opulent residence in O'Malley that he has filled with navy memorabilia and cricket collectables. A chef and one personal staff member help maintain the house.
Daughter Nadeesha was about to complete her final year of university when her father was posted to Australia and the expense of being educated in Canberra was a barrier to her move.
And Harith wants to complete his schooling at the Royal College Colombo 7 - the exclusive institution his father graduated from.
''He has a loyalty to the school, and loyalty to his friends, and also loyalty to his cricket team which he's representing,'' Mr Samarasinghe said.
''So he thinks that is more important and I admire that. That level of foundation is critically important.''
His wife Malathie travels to Canberra for important Sri Lankan events in the capital.
While Mr Samarasinghe was pleased to be sent to Canberra for his first posting, he rues the lack of international cricket played here.
He watches the games that are played here and also goes to Canberra Stadium for ACT Brumbies matches. But he's not too keen on Australian rules.
''To me it's a little too rough; there are hardly any rules in that game.''
He admits that the separation from family makes the diplomatic experience challenging.
But he says it was his choice not to bring his family over to Australia and it is not much of a change after 36 years in the Sri Lankan Navy both at sea and based in different parts of the country.
Mr Samarasinghe said there was much to celebrate in Sri Lanka since the end of the civil war.
''After four years there is not a single act of terrorism, death or destruction. It is in stark contrast to the rest of the world where the conflicts are supposed to have ended, but it's happening all over. There are bombs going off in those countries,'' he said.
''Most important is that 11,000 to 12,000 terrorists either surrendered or were captured and rehabilitated and they are living their normal life in a short period.''
He said the country was flourishing - with tourism increasing by 38 per cent, per capita income more than doubling, and significant investment by the government now boosting growth in the north.
The first elections in 25 years were held in troubled Northern Province in September 2013 and Colombo hosted the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in November.
The meeting was targeted by protesters and several world leaders boycotted it due to concerns about the country's human rights record.
Mr Samarasinghe said the navy and the government had worked hard to prevent people from leaving the country by boat and had stopped 4000 would-be asylum seekers taking part in a ''money-spinning adventure for terrorists''.
He said only 4 per cent of boat people arriving on Australian shores now were Sri Lankan.
''We are co-operating well, but we are going beyond this human smuggling, especially on trade, tourism, investment, public-sector training and education.''
Steering Sri Lanka into a positive future is not so different to commanding the country's fleet of ships, the high commissioner said.
And he says his previous career, involving negotiation with countries such as India, Pakistan, Israel, the United States and Russia, had given him a solid background for his diplomatic role.
''In one sense it's public service, I am treating it in that fashion,'' Mr Samarasinghe said.
''Naval life is the same for every country, you speak the same language, face the same challenges at sea. So that commonality has given me a tremendous advantage - defence and foreign affairs go hand in hand.''
Mr Samarasinghe says he has begun to enjoy living in Canberra, particularly the quietness, the ease of travel and the busy and productive Sri Lankan community.
''The most striking thing of Canberra is the quiet and that gives you a tremendous piece of mind to think and work, and to work long hours,'' he said, ''which I do.''