3rd-Runner-Up 'Ms. Lanka 2007'

by Lakmal Welabada

Senerath Mudalige Don Kanchana Lakmali became another star in the world of beauty queens at the celebrity night of 'Ms. Lanka 2007' organised by Technique International, School for Beauty and Hair Dressing held at Palm Beach Hotel, Mount Lavinia recently. Kanchana was the 3rd-Runner-Up along with four mini titles - 'Ms. Talent', 'Ms. Catwalk', 'Ms. Elegance-1' and 'Ms. Designer'.

How do you feel about your victory?

Happy! But I'm not a person who would gloss over my appearance. It's all foolish. Also the theme of this pageant was 'beauty for a cause', mainly for charity. We are still struggling to collect the balance amount to bring down the eye equipment for the Lady Ridgeway Hospital.

Kanchana is still a 19 years old, and is just after her A/Ls. She studied at All Saints Convent, Borella and later at Anula Vidyalaya. Kandyan dancing is her forte, and even her performance at the talent show was captivating. "I was at the Junior choir, did athletic and netball.

Cycling was my hobby, and I even won the Under 13 Championship at the Mountain Cross Cycle race organised by Kandalama Hotel. I didn't have a chance to learn music, but an a great fan of old Sinhala hits," she says.

The beauty queen has an interesting pastime - 'collecting dolls'.

"I have about 50 dolls which I have been collecting since I was a little girl," she laughs.

You got them as gifts?

Yes, my parents, my relatives and my friends, whoever get to know about my pastime has never failed to present me a beautiful doll.

Do you like little children as well?

Why not? They are my favourite too.

So, how do you, protect your dolls from them?

If they ask I would give them. Anyway I donate about ten dolls to girls in a remote village at Katharagama area every year during our annual trip to Katharagama. And I would replace the old ones with a new lot every year.

Why do you like dolls so much?

My childhood dream was to become a doctor. So, when I was small I used to keep them around me as my patients and treat them as a doctor. I did Bio-Science for my A/Ls, and don't know whether I would be able succeed in my dreams. But whatsoever, I like to help people, especially those in the remote areas who has limited medical facilities.

Kanchana hopes to become a Dress Designer as well. "My mother does fabric painting. So, most of the time it is I who design things for her. I also like to model, but not in a big scale. I would give preference to my studies first, but would lead a balanced life," she says.

Kanchana's father is a building constructor and her only elder brother is also in business.

"My mother is my shadow. I would like to thank my family and Mrs. Gwendoline Kuhathewa and the team of the Technique International for giving us the opportunity to come to limelight" concluded Kanchana.