'I am ready for challenges'

To be selected for Ms. Asia 2011 came as a complete surprise to Ms. Sri Lanka 2010, Sameeri Perera reveals to the Sunday Observer.

I'm excited about it and I'm looking forward to meeting up with the other contestants and learning about their country and culture. As for me I would like to talk to them about Sri Lanka and tell them they should make it a point to visit our country and see for themselves our culture and appreciate our music which is different from the other countries".

Sameeri Perera has all the makings to be a successful ambassador for Sri Lanka when she meets up with the other contestants at the selected venue. A TV presenter, she anchors Ayubowan Sri Lanka over Swarnavahini, Mondays to Fridays from 8.00 am to 10.30 am and has acquired a large fan base. "The first day behind the cameras I was thoroughly nervous, in fact I was shocked and tongue-tied when the cameras were focused on me. It's a feeling that cannot be described. But now I have got over all that and am enjoying myself-it is a different world altogether."

A model as well, Sameeri enjoys all the excitement that takes place behind the stage during a show when the models have to make quick changes of clothes before getting on to the catwalk. "I've been modelling for the past two years.

I've been modelling for Senaka de Silva and am also a free lance model. I modelled at the recent Bridal Fair 2011 and at Ramani's Graduation Show 2010."

Being a model you need to keep a trim figure, what's the secret since you are just 22 years old and with a height of 5'7"?

"I do excercises regularly. Aerobics for 45 minutes and three days a week at the gym. It's important in my line of work to have a slim figure. Which means I have to be careful with my diet. No fatty foods, a little bit of rice and lots of vegetables. I have my secret favourites though Tipi Tips and Milo!"

When she was young, beauty contests and modelling never crossed sameeri's mind. She was a dog lover. In her home she has Wincy a Great Dane, Judy a Dalmatin and Nicky a cute dachshund who love her a great deal. Sameeri bathes them and brushes their coats and hopes to enter them for shows. At present she has extended her love for dogs by assisting Embark an organisation that looks after the welfare of dogs and stray dogs.

There is a serious side to Sameeri Perera's life. A former student of St. Paul's Milagiriya, Colombo, she has under her belt a Business Management Degree from the Nunyang University Singapore and an Advanced Diploma in Tourism and Hospitality. When she is not involved with the glamour world of cameras and flashing lights she looks after her father's business at Malabe and Nawala.

A lover of sports, when in school she played basket ball, badminton and netball but most of all in 2004/2005 she won the Championship for Shot Put, Javelin and Disc throws, at the Inter School Meets.

In hindsight 2009 was a lucky year for Sameeri. She was chosen as Miss. Photogenic in Ms. Lions Contest and Ms. Dream Queen in the contest held by Nature's Secret.

"Being involved in many contests and modelling shows I take part means that our home life gets disrupted more often than not and I must thank my father and mother for their constant support. They are always there for me. Also my brothers who support me no end. I cannot leave out Senaka de Silva for putting me on this track, Namal Vass for all the designing of clothes he does for me, the red dress I wore for Ms. Asia was a creation of his. Also I must thank Mrs. Gwendoline Kuhadeva for all the encouragement she has given me. I have a message for the youth and that is if they want to achieve success in beauty contests they have to be interested and committed. The main thing is to have confidence. Don't hesitate. My advice is go for it.

If you were to win the Ms. Asia crown what would your reaction be?

"I'd be very happy to win. I'll be proud that I'm a Sri Lankan wearing the crown. I know that I would be putting our country on the world map - and taking it to the top. I will change the people's thinking - tell them that our country, thanks to the President is now a peaceful country and they should make a trip to Sri Lanka."