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| Sunday, 23 February 2003 |
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Features |  |
| News Business Features Editorial
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Beauty queen turns diplomat : Rosy ready for another challenge by Vimukthi Fernando Vivacious and refined Rosy Senanayake has a magnetic personality. Though recognised world over for her 'pretty face' she is a mature and a dauntless woman who has proven her worth to fellow humans through various activities and positions including that of the 'UNFPA goodwill ambassador'.
- On being tagged a 'pretty face' "I am not just a pretty face. For that matter, I don't even consider myself a pretty face. - On the status of women in Sri Lanka "Endeavouring for the cause of women, I see that 53% of our population, women, are facing so many problems. Every child in 3 is malnourished. There are lots of issues regarding women. And many grey areas as well. Issues we would rather not bring into light, nor talk about. All forms of violence, abuse and trafficking. And, unwanted pregnancies and abortions is another issue women are faced with. - On her crusade to prevent unwanted pregnancies "In my work as the goodwill ambassador, I was promoting reproductive health. I was appalled by the number of unwanted pregnancies and abortions. I am on a crusade on preventing unwanted pregnancies. The cause is the lack of education, awareness and services not being provided at the right time. We should look at the root cause of the problem and eliminate that. Though some view, legalising prostitution or abortion as a solution, I am not in favour of it. That would neither eliminate the root cause. So, how could it provide solutions? - On being an ambassador designate "First of all I must thank the President, the Prime Minister and the Government for their confidence and trust in me. For, this is a job of honour, prestige and great responsibility but, a great opportunity to serve the nation. Malaysia, is a country where Sri Lanka could learn and gain much from. "My first visit to Malaysia was 22 years ago. Then, it was just developing. I thought we were much ahead of Malaysia. But, Malaysia had moved forward in the right direction, along with globalisation. Looking at their progress now, it amazes me to see where we could have been. Their prosperity is much visible. - On her role as an ambassador "I am still in the process of studying and preparing myself. So, it is premature to talk about future plans. Much protocol and training is needed to be followed. But I will certainly continue the good work of my predecessors. I also have many projects in mind. But at this stage, they cannot be divulged. However, wherever Malaysia is taking its prosperity to, I would try to bring some of it to Sri Lanka. I am also hopeful of developing links. Improving trade, tourism and service sectors and increasing exports from Sri Lanka to Malaysia. I would also try to open up job opportunities, however, the main focus will be on males since I am fighting to stop women who have very young children from leaving their children and going overseas. - On the importance of peace "It is imperative, not only in the development of the country, but in solving many of the problems such as poverty and violence. And peace, will also be the message I would like to take to the people in Malaysia from the people of Sri Lanka. We in a short span of time achieved grate heights of peace. So I would take them the message of peace and goodwill. This peace, Sri Lanka is in the process of achieving should be realistic and not one way. Peace would not happen overnight. There still are a lot of insecurities in people. We need to trust each other, learn to give and take and strike a balance, we need to be selfless. We may not be a superpower. But as a tiny dot in the world map, if we could set an example of peace, it would go a long way. Peace is a must for development, prosperity and happiness. At a time when the world is at war or thinking of war, if the Sri Lankan people can show and prove to the world that peace is the ultimatum and of utmost importance that would be the best message. - On the challenge of being a woman ambassador "My first concern will be to study the country and its people. Besides the majority islamic population there is a huge native Malay population as well as Chinese and Tamil populations. Cross cultural differences could certainly be a challenge. What may be correct and accepted in our country may not be correct and accepted there and might even be offensive at times. However, Malaysia has changed drastically with globalization and they are liberal in many ways, they are not an extremist orthodox country. Besides, Malaysia is of special significance to me. Because that is where I won my first title Miss Asia in 1981. I still have connections with people I met there. I hope that will also help me in my post. - On winning the Mrs. World and Miss Asia titles and on being who she is today "All what I have done was possible because of the titles. I used them in a positive manner, to give of myself to the world and to the country, to the less fortunate. By giving of yourself to the less fortunate you win hearts of the people, from all walks and strata of life. I think I have done that. I can walk into a little hut in the remotest village in Sri Lanka and they would recognise me. I can sit comfortably and have a cup of tea with them. I can do the same with the elite as well. It is not a waste of time. It is an achievement. - On dealing with criticism, especially about her appointment "When you are a public figure you get all types of people talking all kinds of things about you. I am quite immune to that now. Not that I am not sensitive. I am sensitive personally but this is just part of third world politics. I know my strengths and weaknesses, I am able to stand up for myself and prove myself. One can only overcome these things by proving one self. By showing them that you are not what they think you are." |
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News | Business | Features
| Editorial | Security Produced by Lake House |
Forthright in outlook, she is the new ambassador-designate for Sri
Lanka in Malaysia. Expecting to take up her appointment in April and
preparing herself to face a new set of challenges as a diplomat, she takes
time off to talk about her new appointment, her vocation as a woman
activist and about being crowned Mrs. World in 1984.
