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| Sunday, 13 October 2002 |
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Features |  |
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Miss Tourism International 2002 - The Finale : Ukraine takes the crown by Jayanthi Liyanage
A red rose on a slender, young stalk with sun-gold raining behind..... Oleksandra Nikolayenko could have easily been a synonym for that rose. For that was the illusion Miss Ukraine created as Minister of Tourism Gamini Lokuge crowned her Miss Tourism International 2002, in a glittering pageant held at BMICH on October 4. Oleksandra also earned the honour of becoming the first world beauty queen to be crowned in Sri Lanka since the country began peace negotiations. The day belonged to Central Russia. Elina Roos, Miss Estonia, was sashed as the first runner-up by Sebastian Perera, the pageant's Franchise Director and Chairman, Organising Committee, while Anna Salamatina, Miss Russia, was sashed the second runner-up by Dr. P. Ramanujam, Secretary, Ministry of Tourism. Anoja de Mel, the Sri Lankan beauty, too was not to be outdone. In a striking sheath of crimson, she made it to the final rounds, and so did the sizzling title-holders from Belgium, Bulgaria, Germany, Lebanon, Thailand and Yugoslavia. The night unfolded on an ethnic tone, as the curtain rose to reveal white-clad dancers stepping out to the rising oriental rhythms in obeisance to light (pahan pooja). And the scene shifted to the 42 contestants from across the globe attired in the colourful diversity of the national costumes parade. Miss England skipped out, dressed for soccer - in shorts and T-shirt, the ball in hand. "Our country has no national costume and I decided to represent the man who's most popular in England," and she turned displaying "Beckham", in large letters on the back of her T'shirt. Winners of three mini-pageants had the honour of being sashed once more by three distinguished Judges of the pageant. Miss Swim Suit - Jana Kusovska of Slovak Republic by Daya Pelpola, Chairman, SriLankan Airlines; Miss Personality - Sandra Herbst of Germany by Bandula Padmakumara, Director-Editorial, ANCL; and Miss Photogenic - Oleksandra of Ukraine by Shirley Ganegoda, Chairman, Mount Royal Group. The question round of the top ten, drawn from contestants parading in 100 per cent cotton evening splendour (hand-painted by Eco-Gallery), had its moments of mirth. Asked how she would like to be born again, Anna, Miss Russia, was quick to quip, "As a man - I have never been one." Miss Ukraine had difficulty in interpreting her question and Miss Bulgaria dutifully stepped out to whisper in her ear. Hearing twitters of amusement from the audience, she turned and explained, "She is my best friend!" Miss Tourism International 2002 pageant, the third such event to be held locally, was judged by Daya Pelpola, Chairman, SriLankan Airlines; Abbas Esufally, Chairman, Serendibs Leisure; Ms. Tatyana Savchenko, General Director of National Committee, Miss Ukraine; Bandula Padmakumara, Director-Editorial and Marketing, Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Ltd.; Daya Wettasinghe (JPUM), Attorney-at-Law, Chairman, Lanka Tractors Ltd. and Chairman/MD, Globe/Monta Group of Companies and Honorary Consul General of Ukraine in Sri Lanka; Sebastian A.C. Perera, Franchise Director and Chairman, Organising Committee, Board of Judges and Celsin Ltd., Lalith Perera, Managing Director, Hotelcare Network, London; Dany S. Dagher, Partner, Upside down Production, Sarl, Lebanon; Shirley Ganegoda, Chartered Accountant and Chairman, Mount Royal Group. |
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