The wait was finally over, the training, dress rehearsals, workouts and choreographs finally paid dividends.
Beauty offers important insights into conceptual, geopolitical and geo-economic processes. The Sunday Observer as the Official Print Media Partner of the event, centers the Mrs Tourism Sri Lanka 2022, the centerpiece of tourism-based development in Sri Lanka. This approach relies on married women: the work of self-improvement, the intellectual work of learning and showcasing a beautiful, idealized national imaginary.
The premiere beauty pageant, Mrs Tourism Sri Lanka 2022, for gorgeous and intelligent married women, powered by Gold Ray Productions and directed by the National Director Thilini De Silva, a beauty queen, social activist and entrepreneur, opened its registrations in February this year, and witnessed the participation over 450 women from within the country. Grand and second round auditions were held from May till June 2022.
Having being supported by few of the major personalities in Sri Lanka, Thilini De Silva crowned five final winners at the Grand Finale of Mrs Tourism Sri Lanka 2022 staged at the Nelum Pokuna Mahinda Rajapaksa Theatre Colombo on the 30th of July 2022 in the presence of veterans, celebrities and an approaching audience.
The 27 finalists competed for mini titles like Mrs Beautiful Figure, Mrs Best Catwalk, Mrs Congeniality, Mrs Personality, Mrs Intelligent, Mrs Photogenic, Mrs Popular, and Mrs Talent in addition to the five main titles of the pageant.
The chief guests were Chalaka Gajabahu (Chairman of Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau), Dudley Sirisena (Chairman of Araliya Group of Companies), Thumilan Sivarajah (Chairman of Blue Ocean Group of Companies), Dr Khalid Malki (First Secretary of the Saudi Arabian Embassy - representing the Ambassador), Ms Irina Thakur (First Secretary of India High Commission) and Sarath Wijesinghe (Former Ambassador).
The Mrs Tourism Sri Lanka 2022 Grand Finale Judge Panel comprised leading personas like Dr Anoma Jayasinghe (Group medical officer Sri Lankan Airlines), Dr Sahida Hettiarachchi (Asia Human Rights Federation Director), Chandimal Jayasinghe (Cosmetologist, Entrepreneur and Philanthropist), Sachini Ayendra (Film Actress), Dr Arosha Fernando (Fly Lankan Asia CEO), Ashya Basnayaka (Beauty Queen), Mr Nihal Pathirage (Chairman Rangiri Holdings Group of Companies), Mr Imran Ali (Chairman of Vista Capital and MD of Green Win Technologies Limited), and Mrs Thilini De Silva (National Director Mrs Tourism Sri Lanka 2022 and Director of Gold Ray Productions).
From over 450 registrations, 70 auditioned participants and final 27 contestants, 5 dazzling, hardworking and intelligent married women were crowned the final winners of Mrs Tourism Sri Lanka 2022 under the titles of Mrs Tourism International Sri Lanka 2022, Mrs Tourism Universe Sri Lanka 2022, Mrs Tourism Earth Sri Lanka 2022, Mrs Tourism World Sri Lanka 2022, and Mrs Tourism Globe Sri Lanka 2022. Sunday Observer had the utmost pleasure of speaking to those glorious final winners of the night about their experience on the journey from start until to a crown holder;
“Many people encouraged me to come on this journey. I specially want to thank my husband and my family for always being there for me throughout. I would also love to thank my mentors, Thilini De Silva, Rukmal Senanayake and Master Wageesha Bandara for guiding my way to come this far and allow me to hold a title proudly. I am very proud and happy about my achievement and with where I am today. I believe, under this same guidance, I will be able to go ahead in life and do something useful for my country,” Wasana Lakmali Premathilake, 31 years and the winner of the mini title Mrs Talent for her exceptional ‘Angampora’ performance.
“Personally, I had no hope for this victory. I believe that my mother’s and husband’s supportiveness is one of the major reasons for me to be within the five final winners. I’m really thankful to Miss Thilini De Silva and the entire crew for giving us this opportunity and for their immense guidance. Special mention should be made to Rukmal Senanayake for his hard work and training. None of us have been trained externally and we only had five days to train ourselves to present on this Finale stage,” Ahinsa Mayadunne, 23.
“I actually participated in the pageant with a not so clear idea of winning or not. Throughout my journey, I learned and gained a lot in life; personality development, patience and many more except for being a crown bearer. I thank the director Mrs Thilini De Silva for opening the doors of life for married women like us. I like to pass a special message for each woman out there in the world that we all have such life changing opportunities waiting for us in life, don’t fall back, don’t hesitate, just let yourself experience the world around and win life to the fullest,” Reniska Grand, 38, and the winner of the mini title Mrs Intelligent.
“First I would like to thank Miss Thilini De Silva for helping me come this far with her support and guidance. I’m very happy to have reached the finals and stand within the final winners of the pageant. It is a pride to see married women like us winning ourselves on such platforms,” Kavi Ranasinghe, 27, and the winner of the mini titles Mrs Beautiful Legs and Mrs Talent.
“This is my first experience in a beauty pageant. We are very happy that newcomers like us have been given such a chance and that the respective personalities have been chosen for the crown. I especially want to say that if women like us are passionate to come to the field of pageantry, come without fear, because what is basically seen and heard on the surface is not always the truth. Therefore, come and experience the world of beauty pageants and win life in return,” Bimalsha Maheshika, 28, and the winner of the mini titles Mrs Personality and Mrs Photogenic.
With the immense guidance and support from few of the best people in the pageant industry, these ladies aced it on the Grand Finale of Mrs Tourism Sri Lanka 2022. Pageant’s Official Choreographer Mr Rukmal Senanayake, popularly known as the ‘Fire Man’ and a professional choreographer in many more leading local and international pageants, has been a huge support for all the amazing women to conquer the stage they stood on and to present themselves. One of the highlights of the pageant were the crowns, specially designed by Lakpura Jewelers for the five winners of Mrs Tourism Sri Lanka 2022.
While addressing the audience, distinguished guest, Dudley Sirisena, Chairman of Araliya Group of Companies shared his thoughts about the pageant and the need for such events to uplift the tourism industry in order to handle the economic crisis of the country, “Even in the short run, action must be taken to do what must be done. With the economic problems our country is in today, this affects all of us equally. Regardless of what anyone says, as a person who experiences the economy on a daily basis, the tourism industry of the country is one special factor to overcome the economic crisis that I see. I would especially like to thank the team led by Mrs Thilini De Silva, who is leading the program to popularize tourism in Sri Lanka, and all those who are present here to represent the country. The idea is to have more of these events but not to exploit them.”
Former winners have proven that these winning titles enable them to meet ambitious career aspirations by becoming high-profile activists, entrepreneurs, decision makers and models. Besides taking these titles to a more progressive level, Thilini De Silva being the National Director for this pageant will manage the crown holders for the entire period of reign. Therefore, they will ensure that the women not only discharge their duties and responsibilities as titleholders but will also fulfill their obligations to sponsors throughout their years of reign.
Thilini De Silva shared her gratitude about all the sponsors that came hand-in-hand to make this event a much more success; Sri Lanka Tourism Bureau (Official Government Partner), Sunday Observer (Official Print Media Partner), Full Moon Garden Hotel and Nature Villa by Tangalle (Official Hospitality Partners), China Mart (Official Dress Partner), Emilno Designs by Thushini Vitharana and NW by Deshapriya Rathnayake (Official Costume Designers), Six Creations (Official Digital Marketing Partner), STV Sri Lanka (Official Media Partner), Mr Wickramarachchi (Official Filmmaking Partner), Pubudu Lakshan Photography (Official Photography Partner), Emil’s Magic (Official Entertainment Partner), Binura Lakpura (Official Gem Partner), Beauty Nail Spa by Jaya (Official Nail Care Partner), Nishu Apparels (Official T-shirt Partner), and Rangiri Maxpower Security and Investigation (Official Security Partner), Susara Yasas and Kavinga Perera (Official Event Announcers).
“Seeing all my fellow ladies in a better place is my pleasure. I’ve been working really hard these months to create their image, knowledge and attitude. At the same time I’m really humbled to receive appreciation from all of them. I wish them good luck with their future endeavors as they all still have a long way to go. Rather than making them win a crown, I always tried my best to teach them the way to win their life,” National Director Thilini De Silva expressed her feelings about all the finalists and their journey throughout.
