The much awaited Siyatha Miss World Sri Lanka 2016 pageant took place on Tuesday (2016.08.30) with yet another winner to represent Sri Lanka at the Miss World pageant to be held in Washington this year. The top 15 contestants competed with one another with much confidence, enthusiasm and excitement. Initially starting off proceeding nine weeks ago, the girls were groomed to face the camera, audience and project their personalities to the world out there. Another significant feature of this pageant is the ‘Beauty with a purpose’ project which is one of the criteria for the contestants. Here they have to choose a project to serve the community under their capacity and also explain why they chose it and how they would use this platform to move forward with it. A significant highlight of the grand finale was the collection of cultural elements which were designed by Eric Suriyasena and choreographed by Senaka De Silva himself. The dancers of the Channa Upuli Performing Arts Foundation did their magic onstage making the evening more glamorous. 

The judges for the evening were Brazilian Ambassador to Sri Lanka H.E Elizabeth Sophie Balsa, veteran actor Dr. Ravindra Randeniya, CEO Kent Group of Companies, Gamini Saparamadu, beautician/entrepreneur and grooming instructress Wena Goeiyana and renowned filmmaker and former Ambassador to France, Spain and the United States, Sumitra Peries. 

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As the evening drew to an end, Life Online spoke to a few guests including the judges to listen to their views about the pageant and the evolution of the local fashion scene. 

Guests 

“I would like to appreciate the efforts made by Sangeetha, Shereen and Dhananjaya because their pageant is full of discipline. Senaka has put in his efforts to make it a huge success because the girls turned out to look fabulous today. I’m quite happy with the judgement made today.” – Angela Seneviratne 

“It was well organised and the girls looked fabulous and I’m quite happy since I was also able to participate in it.” – Eric Suriyasena 

“I have been here at the mini-pageants and I am happy about the winner because she faced all interviews and challenges well. I would specially like to thank Sangeetha, Shereen and Dhananjaya for organising an event of this calibre while giving an opportunity for Sri Lankan girls to move forward in their lives. This experience is a step forward in life.” – Yashoda Wimaladharma 

“It was a really good show and I worked with the girls from day one and they improved in confidence and personality. They were a lovely bunch of girls and it was a pleasure to be a part of it. I would like to thank my team for extending their support to make it a success.” – Ramani Fernando 

“It is amazing to see how the younger generation is moving forward. Education is quite an important aspect because when they go out to the international pageant they have to compete with contestants from other parts of the world. So it is a must to project a proper image of the country that they represent.” – Michael Wijesuriya 

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Judges 

“I think all of us are unanimous. All the girls were lovely and they were all motivated and this should be a platform for them to move towards their desired goals.” – Sumitra Peries 

“There was a great panel of judges here who were aware of what art and beauty is. That helped us achieve a decision that was acceptable to a majority of a people here. The theme of the pageant is beauty with a purpose especially at the interviews held earlier we saw that these girls were very intelligent and that they had a vision and a purpose to carry the image of Sri Lanka out in to international.” – Ravindra Randeniya 

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Choreographer 

“It wasn’t easy to put them through this experience because they had to wear shoes, move about and face the show. But I enjoyed working with them.” – Senaka De Silva 

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The winners of the mini titles are as follows: 

Arpico Supercentre Miss Congeniality & Hilton Colombo Miss Sports and Fitness: Yashoda De Silva 

Denta Miss Beautiful Smile: Nilusha Maduwanthi 

Amaya Dancers of Sri Lanka & Miss Fit and Slim: Kaushi Pathirana 

British Cosmetics Face of the Year: Dusheni Miurangi 

Kamsins Most Beautiful in Eastern Wear: Mandeera Saverimutto 

Demak Miss Confidence: Amritaa De Silva 

Singer Mega Miss Talent: Yashoda De Silva 

Arpico Miss Personality: Amritaa De Silva  

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Contestants and Mini Title Winners 

“We have learned so much from this pageant. We found new friends and most importantly we learned how to play fare in a game, to try out new things.” – Vithma Kumarage 

“The competition was tough and was very competitive. It was a nice experience.” – Mandeera Saverimutto 

“It was really tough in the beginning but we learned so many things. I would like to thank the judges and Sangeetha, Shereen and Dhananjaya for giving me this opportunity.” – Pujani Ranasinghe 

“I got so much of experience and I would like to thank everybody who has helped me to achieve the victory today.” – Kaushi Pathirana, Second Runner Up 

“I am so excited to be the title holder of this pageant. I would like to make this an opportunity to make my country proud at the Miss World pageant which will be held this year.” – Amritaa De Silva, Siyatha Miss World Sri Lanka 2016 

“We worked really hard to bring the girls up to this point. From now onwards the winner has to concentrate on the Miss World pageant. She has to go through a lot of training and we will be working towards that goal from here onwards. I believe that Amritaa will make Sri Lanka proud.” – Sangeetha Weeraratne, Director- Model Shop 

Official Media Partner: Life Online 

Photographs by Waruna Wanniarachchi