Johann, second Sri Lankan to summit Everest

Johann Peries became the second Sri Lankan to summit Mount Everest on Tuesday. Peries reached the almost 8,850-meter peak at 5:50 a.m. Nepal time, according to a release from the Sri Lankan Foreign Ministry.

“Our best wishes to you for a safe descent and journey home to (Sri Lanka),” the Ministry said. Peries is a hair designer who owns salons in Colombo and London. He has summited several peaks before Everest, including Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania and Island Peak in Nepal.

The first Sri Lankan to summit Everest was Jayanthi Kuru-Utumpala, who reached the top just after 5 a.m. on May 21, 2016. Peries accompanied her for most the expedition, stopping at the final camp before the peak. “I’m really thrilled and excited that he’s made it to the top,” Kuru-Utumpala told the Daily News yesterday.

“It took a lot of courage to go back the second time,” she added. “It takes a lot of courage to go once, and double to go twice.”Kuru-Utumpala said she would not feel completely at peace until Peries confirmed he’d reached base camp, a descent that takes about two days. “The journey down is really treacherous,” she said. “You’re so exhausted, your body has stopped digesting food to keep your main organs alive.” “One mistake can cost you your life,” she added. “You have to be 500 percent prepared.”

Kuru-Utumpala said that Peries’ friends and family were waiting for his final confirmation “from base camp in Colombo.”