Author's Bio

Roy Ratnavel was born in 1969 in the capital city of Colombo, Sri Lanka — a tiny island nation located in the Indian Ocean just 18 nautical miles from the southern tip of India. Growing up in the city of Point Pedro, in the northern part of the island during a time of war, he has experienced harrowing incidents that few people will ever know — and from which most would never recover. At the age of seventeen, he became a political prisoner — and spent gruelling months in brutal and oppressive conditions.

After his miraculous release from prison, he arrived in Canada all alone at the age of eighteen — leaving behind his immediate family and childhood friends. Mr. Ratnavel, who now is an executive at Canada’s largest independent asset management company, developed a passion for self-help and leadership. For him, “started in the mailroom” is more than just a figure of speech. It’s the lead line on his résumé. A remarkable journey for someone who arrived alone in Canada thirty-three years ago with just $50 in his pocket.

In Prisoner #1056, Roy confronts his past with startling resilience while shining the light on his painful and difficult memories. He believes that though past events are unchangeable, they can serve as important lessons in overcoming struggles of life to strive for a better future. While his story is unimaginable and unsettling, it is never without hope for humanity. Prisoner #1056 is Mr. Ratnavel’s first book — and it is dedicated to freedom and democracy. Roy is an accidental Sri Lankan by birth, an unapologetic Tamil by heritage, and a proud Canadian by choice. He currently resides in Toronto.