Fashion

by Lakmal Welabada

A winner with a vision

After the 'question round,' I thought I would have a chance. After all, taking part was the most important thing," says Shayana Kristeen Seneviratne, the newest beauty queen in Sri Lanka after she was crowned 'Ms. Lanka 2007'. Shayana won the mini title 'Ms.Personality' as well.

"It was a really good experience. All the girls who took part were really nice. I think we should be able to continue our contacts for a very long time," she believes.

The 20-year-old beauty is another fine product of Bishop's College. Dancing, reading, watching TV and charity work are her pastimes. "Going out with my friends is also something I really enjoy doing. I rarely have time to spend with them as I'm very much engulfed with my office work," says the beauty queen who works as a Consultant for Training and Development at Virtusa.

Question: Your students must be much older to you?

Shayana: I train people for Management development, leadership, etiquette, communication and so on. The minimum age limit is 23. So, eventually all my students are older than I.

There are more than 1400 employers in our Colombo branch. I have got the opportunity to associate with people of all levels. It's good exposure. Interacting with people is something that I really enjoy.

Teaching develops my skills as well," she says.

Question: Having won the title you have got scholarships to follow courses in dress making and beauty culture as gifts. Do you think you would be able to make use of them?

Shayana: Why not? They would be really useful to me. Having my own fashion designing company is my dream. So, these courses will enhance my knowledge and lay a good foundation.

Question: What provoked you to take part in this pageant?

Shayana: Well, since at school, I have been involved in charity work through the Interact Club. In fact, I was the President of the Interact Club of the Colombo Metropolitan in 2005. 'Ms. Lanka' is 'beauty for a cause' and the proceeds will go for a charity work.

That induced me to take part. Also my sister, Shalini Seneviratne was 'Ms. Lanka 2004'. My mother has been encouraging me as she thinks it would give a girl a good training and exposure.

Question: Your sister is a good Latin dancer. She even performed at the pageant. Didn't you want to master the art?

Shayana: I learnt Kandyan dancing, Latin and Hip-Pop, but didn't go up to that level. I was more into studies. Immediately after O/Ls, I did CIM (UK) and Bachelor of Business (Australia).

The beauty queen loves charity. Apart from her work with Interact Club, she teaches English to under privileged children of a primary school at Rajagiriya during weekends.

Shayana says she gets the fullest support from her family, and that was the encouragement that helped her achieve her goal. "My father is a Consultant for a real estate venture and my mother is a Finance Manager for Energizer.

My sister works as an Assistant Brand Manager at Unilevers," she says.

Question: Now you are a 'queen'. How do you feel about it?

Shayana: I'm really happy. Also I feel that since I'm an idol, I have to keep up my standards. But I'm still the good old friend to my pals. You know, my best friend Swindly who is studying in Australia wanted to surprise me by coming to see the 'Ms. Lanka 2007' final pageant at Palm Beach.

I didn't know about it, but my other friends knew. She had told me that she would be coming the following week. But since there was a flight delay she couldn't make it. However she was here to celebrate my triumph with me.

Question: Who else were there to cheer you up?

Shayana: My parents, my sister, my grandmother, two of my aunts and two of my very good friends. And I would take this opportunity to thank Mrs. Kuhatheva and the team of Technique International for organising such a glorious event. Thanks again!

Question: Apart from all that what else can you highlight about your personality? Are you a lover of pets?

Shayana: Not really, but I'm kind towards them. I'm a person who loves to collect things like belts, hand bags, shoes, clothes and so on. I have about 50 from each item. My father says he would buy me a new cupboard soon as I'm running out of space to keep my stuff (laughs).

Question: What are your future plans?

Shayana: Now, of course I'm full time at work, and hope to start the MBA shortly. Also, along with my title 'Ms. Lanka 2007' I hope I would be able to help out more with charity work of my own as well as work with Mrs. Kuhatheva.

I don't mind going for parties, but I'm not a 'party thrower'. I had my 18th birthday bash last. I prefer offering alms to temples and giving donations to Homes for Children and Elders. Even from my first salary, I offered an 'Ata Pirikara' to a Buddhist priest.

Out of the 30 contestants 16 were in the final round for this year's Ms. Lanka. Shayana was the most fortunate of all of them. Though she has just stepped out of her teens, her ability for prompt and precise resolutions which was well highlighted at the question round may have helped her score to win the title.

Observer queen smiled her way through!

After stiff competition of voting by coupon Chathurika Nishadini Idangoda won 'Ms.Observer - Most Popular Contestant' title at `Ms.Lanka 2007'.

The observer queen is the luckiest as she got the highest vote count from her fans. The Sunday Observer which has the best readership in Sri Lanka.

Question: How do you feel?

Chathurika: Happy! Thanks to my fans; Thanks Sunday Observer, Thanks Technique International! Chathurika won the mini title 'Ms.Beautiful Smile' along with 'Ms.Sunday Observer'.

She is in the Management field and also an actress. "I work as the Export manager at Timber Lake International. Apart from that I take part in tele dramas. 'Vasuda' and 'Kaavya' on Sirasa TV, 'Jeevithaya Lassanai' and 'I love Jenny' (comedy) on Swarnavahini have been some of the teledramas she has done memorable roles.

"Roy de Silva's comedy film, 'Sir, Last Chance' is the first film of mine which shooting has just over. I dubbed in the film 'Hart FM' as well," she says.

Chathurika has learnt Bharatha dancing upto Arangethram level and mastered in Western and Indian film dancing. "I learnt dancing under Upekkha Gangodawila and Thushani Weerakkody. I did little bit of gymnastic when I was at Rahula Balika Maha Vidyalaya, Malabe. I won a Youth Award at for Bharatha Natyam at Youth Award Festival in 2003," she recalls.

Question: What kind of an exposure did you get by being a contestant in this pageant?

Chathurika: Tremendous! I must thank Mrs.Kuhatheva who looked after us like a mother and the whole staff of the Technique International who taught us everything a model or a contestant of a beauty pageant should know without hiding anything.

Chathurika hails from Malabe, but now resides at Ganemulla. Her foremost intention is to be a Ground Hostess at SriLankan Airlines. "It has been my dream. In fact, I did a Diploma course in Japanese after O/L hoping it would help me to become an Air Hostess.

But my height was the barrier. So the next option was to become a Ground Hostess. At present, I'm studying French," she says.

Chathurika also says that she doesn't have greater determination to pursue a professional career. "I would like to balance everything - both my office work and acting. But once I get married everything would have to be decided on. I would not have regrets to sacrifice anything for my family life," she says.

Question: Who are among those who encourage you?

Chathurika: My parents, my sisters, relatives and especially my boy friend, Shiran. He has been the candle for me both during day and night. I really owe him a lot for all the assistance and encouragement.

Question: 'Ms.Lanka' is a pageant of 'beauty for a cause' with an aim for charity. What kind of charity work are you involved in?

Chathurika: I really appreciate it. I believe a lot in looking after parents and elders. Their blessings play a big role in my life. Also, helping others is among my pastimes. I would do whatever I can within my capacity.

I made many friends during this pageant, and I really value it more than the gifts I won. Unlike my boy friend, I spare little time for religious activities, and believe in leading a good life with honesty and harmony.

Ms. Lanka 2007 - gala pageant

The winners of the mini title holders are as follows: 'Ms. Palm Beach Queen', 'Ms. Beautiful Eyes' and 'Ms. Crowning Glory' - Natasha Jayakody.

'Ms. Designer', 'Ms. Elegance', 'Ms. Catwalk' and 'Ms. Talent' - Kanchana Lakmali. 'Ms. Body Beautiful' and 'Ms. Congeniality' - Mary Pieris.

'Ms. Body Beautiful' - Chathurika Nishadini Idangoda.

'Ms. Photogenic' - Thiloththama Jayasinghe.

'Ms. Personality' - Shayana Seneviratne.

'Ms. Lanka 2007' was held at Palm Beach Hotel, Mount Lavinia last Sunday. Shayana Seneviratne was crowned as 'Ms.Lanka 2007'...

The illustrious event would have been one of the most lit up functions at the end of this year. Technique International, the School of Hair Design and Beauty Therapy had organised this with an intensive logo of 'Beauty for a Cause' for 13th consecutive year.

It was an extremely beautiful evening with many distinguished guests among the audience. All proceeds on tickets would be spent on a worthy cause; getting special equipment for eyes for the Lady Ridgeway Children's Hospital.

Chief Guest former Minister Kingsley T. Wickremaratne and Mrs. Wickremaratne, Guests of Honour Prof. K. U. Kamalgoda, Managing Director of State Pharmaceutical Corporation of Sri Lanka and Dinesh Weerawansa, Editor in Chief of the Sunday Observer and his wife Mrs. Shashithanganie Weerawansa were warmly welcomed with garlands and baskets of flowers.

The host and the hostess of the evening, Clifford Richard and Angela Seneviratne enlivened the evening with their wit and sense of humour while Yohan and Honorine gave their best tunes to break the silence. The Latin dance performed by Shalini Seneviratne who was 'Ms. Lanka 2004' whole she danced with. Kept the audience toes atapping Salsa Menia.

Mrs. Gwendoline Kuhatheva, Director Business Development and Education of Technique International and her dedicated team were like busy bees working behind the scenes, preparing the contestants for each session on the ramp and attending to all the formalities of the show.

Our Sunday Observer photographer Vipula Amarasinghe, official photographer of the pageant Kasun Amarasinghe and MAX TV crew were busy clicking and absorbing every second of the event on to their digital chips to mark the memorable event.

After lighting the traditional oil lamp the grand function began with a blend of hip-hop and classical tunes amidst the titillating shades of lights and graceful smiling faces of the participants.

The panel of judges took their seats just in front of the stage where the contestants. The contestants first appeared on the stage in their stunning catwalk outfits. They looked extremely smart and fabulous in their evening dresses. The girls were quite elegant and charming in their alluring light shaded sarees.

The question round was really interesting. Each contestant picked up a number for a question among the tiny pieces of paper rolled and placed in a glass bowl. Their answers counted the final mark for their victory. It was amusing to see how confident and intelligent these girls were. Clifford who put the questions on to the contestants, handed over a Rose to each of them once she finished answering to it.

And then it was time to declare the names of the winners. First the mini title winners got the crowns, s ashes and gifts, then the runners-up of the pageant were announced. Mary Peiris, Natasha Jayakody, Kanchana Lakmali and Thiloththama Jayasinghe were the beauties, the first, second, third and fourth runners-up respectively.

Among a thundering applaud Shayana Seneviratne was announced as 'Ms. Lanka 2007'. Dinesh Weerawansa, Editor in Chief of the Sunday Observer crowned the queen while Prof. K. U. Kamalgoda, Managing Director of the State Pharmaceutical Corporation sashed her.

Krishan Senaratne, Director Marketing of Technique International handed over the trophy. Lilanthi Jayaratne, Director, Sterling Flowers handed over a basket of flowers. Umesh from MAX TV, Ramya Weerakoon of Trendy Wear, M. Jabeer of Asian Fabrics and Lalin Jayawardane, General Manager of Palm Beach Hotel, Mount Lavinia gave away gifts. Natali Whittal handed over a scholarship for dressmaking and Lucille Dahanayake, Chairperson of Hermes International Ltd gifted the winner with a return air ticket to Chennai. 'Ms. Lanka 2007' also received a valuable scholarship from Technique International to follow a course in beauty therapy.

Ms. Sunday Observer - Most Popular Contestant, Chathurika Nishadini Idangoda, as voted by the Sunday Observer readers was also crowned by Dinesh Weerawansa, Editor in Chief of the Sunday Observer. Chathurika was s ashes by Rasanga Harischandra, Director, Legal of the Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Ltd. (ANCL), Lake House.

Lakmal Welabada, Deputy Features Editor of the Sunday Observer handed over a basket of flowers and a valuable gift voucher. Chathurika received another handsome prize of a return air ticket to Male from Shafraaz Nazeer. Vipula Amarasinghe of the Sunday Observer also handed over a gift whilst the cheering applause continued.

The grand finale of 'Ms. Lanka 2007' continued until close, right up to mid night and then followed a dinner dance on the third floor of the Palm Beach. Both winners, and the rest of contestants along with the organisers, sponsors and the distinguished guests had a gala bash thereafter.

The 13th consecutive year of 'Ms. Lanka' ended as a pleasant memorable dream, along with a pledge from Mrs. Kuhatheva and her team at Technique International to have another gala pageant and a dazzling show next year too.

Reflections in Colour  

We capture here some special moments of “Reflections in Colour” the exhibition of oil paintings of Jayani Pinnewale, held at the Lionel Wendt Gallery from December 17, to December 19, 2007.

Jayani, who goes for the brighter side of life, the warmth of the landscapes, animals and flowers, says she started painting as a hobby while working in Italy. She says “Art is beautiful and fascinating, and even a sad thought transformed into canvas can produce a painting that attracts one’s eye.

As Thomas Kinkade said, Jayani too believes “Its the highest calling any of us have in life: making the world a little brighter because of the way we paint our hours, days months and years”.