The search for Miss Sri Lanka

Nilma Dole

Some of the contestants vying for the Derana Veet Miss Sri Lanka 2009 competition have been flown down especially from their foster countries to give their support in uplifting the image of Sri Lanka in the international arena.

The twelve who were screened from about 300 were interviewed by a panel of judges encompassing film star Roshan Ranawana, Aslem Hussain (proprietor of GEEBEES label), Lucky Lenawala (Beautician), Adriana Corera (reigning Miss Sri Lanka) and Andre Estefan (Designer/Choreographer) including models like Sharon and Anuj and marketing hot shots like Marketing Director of Reckitt Benckiser, Zackery Ahamed.

Having started on the ninth of April at Water’s Edge with the first round of interviews, mini-titles like `Miss Beautiful Skin’, `Miss Beautiful Legs’, `VEET Top Model’, `Miss Photogenic’, `Best National Costume’, `Miss Talent’ and `Miss Congeniality’ are up for grabs. Speaking to `Sunday Observer’ was choreographer and model-turned-fashion guru Rozanna Diasz who tells the girls how to carry their poise and grace to get ahead in the competition.

She said, “I will be hosting the show with Narada and my job is to teach the girls how to walk right and set their beauty style”. Producer of the program, Kumar Hewage has also been at the helm of getting the girls to make a good impression on the camera to gain public approval.

“We hope that girls won’t be stereotypical in their thinking that vying for the Miss Sri Lanka pageant is all about the swimsuit competition - it’s about representing your country on the international stage and getting the opportunity to be your best” said Programs Director of Derana, Sharmila Dharmadasa.

The potential Miss Sri Lanka faces are Nadeesha Yapage who has studied in Lebanon, Gamya Prasadini who is familiar with Australia, Ruwani Weerasuriya coming down from Texas, USA. The other contenders include Ayeshani Dulangi, Isuri Dilshani, Suboda Tharangani, Gayathri Mendis, Darani Sinduja, Lakshi Heshani, Nilukshi Amanda, Nithya Samanmali and Shimali Perera.

Electronic media Derana together with Veet will bring Miss Sri Lanka 2009 for the third consecutive time in a row. The grand finals will be held on 7th July 2009 at the Mount Lavinia hotel and all the happenings of the Miss Sri Lanka pageant will be aired every Friday at 7:30 p.m. on Derana TV.