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How Remote Work Helped Roel Ketagoda Show Up for Family

February 17, 2026

Kathy Banach

How do you stay connected with your team while working remotely across a 10-hour time difference? Roel Ketagoda, our Quality Assurance (QA) Engineer, found out during a month-long trip to Canada for a family wedding.

Turning a Family Milestone Into a Remote Work Opportunity

When Roel’s wife’s cousin got married in Canada, it meant traveling more than 14,000 kilometers from Sri Lanka to attend not one, but two wedding celebrations. It was Roel and his wife’s first visit to Canada — and a rare opportunity to spend time with family they don’t often see.

With a longer trip planned and wedding preparations underway, Roel asked his team lead and HR if he could work remotely during part of his visit.

I was thrilled that OTGS gave me the flexibility to spend some time working from Canada! I started making arrangements as soon as I received approval from HR and my team lead, Vitaly Tarasenko.

Roel and his wife enjoying the autumn colours at the Botanical Gardens in Montreal
Roel and his wife enjoying the autumn colours at the Botanical Gardens in Montreal
Roel, his wife, and her aunts and uncles
Roel, his wife, and her aunts and uncles, all of whom have lived in Canada for 40+ years

Making Remote Work Successful Across Time Zones

At OTGS, different teams work closely together to deliver the best possible experience for our customers. Collaboration is a key part of how we operate, and it’s just one of the principles that define our approach to work.

For Roel, this meant planning carefully around a 10-hour time difference with his team members, who are mostly based in Europe. He was committed to making sure this temporary arrangement wouldn’t impact teamwork.

I took responsibility for keeping my work well-documented and the team informed, regularly sharing updates on testing, identified issues, and release progress. I also adjusted my schedule to be available early in my day to support the team during critical deployments.

Modern technology made this arrangement possible in ways that would have been unimaginable just years ago. Roel even found himself working from a plane during a product deployment. It was a memorable reminder that remote work, at its best, is about staying connected.

The 13-hour flight offered Wi-Fi, so I was able to join the team meeting while flying over Europe—the closest I’d ever been to my colleagues physically.

Roel and his wife on a cruise ship
Aboard a cruise ship navigating the Thousand Islands region
Getting ready for the wedding
Getting ready for the wedding

Outside of Work Hours

Thanks to clear organization and communication, Roel balanced his work commitments with exploring all that Canada had to offer. The trip gave him a chance to step away from his usual routine and create lasting memories with family.

During their visit, Roel and his wife:

  • Visited Niagara Falls
  • Took a Thousand Islands cruise in Gananoque
  • Toured Ottawa’s parliament and museums
  • Explored Montreal, including Old Quebec, Notre Dame Basilica, and the Botanical Gardens
Notre Dame Basilica in Montreal
Enjoying the Notre Dame Basilica in Montreal
On a cable car ride across the Niagara Falls

The Value of Remote Work

Roel’s experience shows that with careful planning, remote work can make important life moments possible.  It’s proof that with trust and communication, flexibility and commitment can work together.

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