'Red, pink and blue... I like the all' - Natasha Jayakody

by Lakmal Welabada

She laughs with her lovely titillating eyes. Anybody would get enticed by her genuine smile. Here she is... Natasha Jayakody, the Second Runner-Up of 'Ms. Lanka 2007' recalling the grand show held couple of weeks ago.

"I'm Ramona Romanus Natasha Jayakody. I'm nineteen years old. I live in Kalutara," she smiles. So, what else? Apart from being the Second-Runner-Up, Natasha won three titles in the mini pageants of the show. She was the 'Ms.Palm Beach Queen', 'Ms.Beautiful Eyes', 'Ms.Crowning Glory' and 'Ms.Elegance - 2' Those who came for the show might have remembered her beautiful face shining like a moon among all the other stars.

Relaxing after running to and fro with her mom in the past three months, for the mini pageants held at many places; (Palm Beach Hotel etc.), Natasha starts to talk about herself. "I have not found a boyfriend yet," she begins. "I'm too young. Let God decide for me," she smiles.

Natasha studied at Holy Family Convent, Kalutara and sat for her A/Ls in the Commerce stream. She took part in each and every drama, the English choir and whatever else that took place at school. "I was a Girl Guide, Junior as well as a Senior Prefect, a member of Veritas Radio Channel; and did a little bit of sports as well. I played netball for sometime, but Chess was my forte. I even took part at the National level Chess tournaments," she says smiling after every word.

At school, Natasha won every competition held, be it singing, dancing or drama. "I play the piano, but not in a big way. But I love to learn to try any musical instrument. I'm little crazy in that way. But I think music is a good healer and the best pal as well.

Natasha is professionally a banker with a lot of aspirations for the future. "I work at the Seylan Bank and want to go up in the banking sector. At present, I'm siting for the banking exams," she says.

" Red, pink and blue - I like them all..., as those colours suit me well. I like modelling. Along with my banking career, I would be doing modelling as well. Many say modelling is not a good field. Even I was personally told things against it.

I just want to show others that modelling is also another art, and if you do it properly with a clear conscience nothing would go wrong. I'm very particular about my clothes. I do not dress to show my body. That's why I want to show others that modelling is not showing off the body. That's a wrong idea. New fashions come and go, but we should know what suit us," she explains.

When asked how she felt over the gain and loss at the pageant Natasha says, "I won five titles. True that I lost the crown of the 'Ms.Lanka 2007', but I am quite satisfied what I've got. There's a reason behind everything.

So, winning such a lot of mini titles is also a triumph. I do work hard for a target, but, since I was a child I have trained myself to accept what I get," she smiles.

Natasha was a member of the 'Holy Childhood' association when she was at school. "This was good exposure as it deals with poor people. It was formed especially to help poor children. Through this we learn about poverty, think about the affected and know how to treat them well," she recalls. Natasha hopes to attend more charity work in the future to come.

Natasha though a beauty queen to the world is still mama's pet. Even at the 'questioning round', the beauty queen named her mother as the best person, the icon of her world.

"My mother Shyama Jayakody had also taken part in beauty queen contests when she was young. She has been my shadow as my Thathi (Ravi Jayakody) is away in Dubai working as a Financial Controller in a Hotel. I wished he was also with us at the pageant.

But he was so thrilled to hear all what happened," she smiles. "I have a younger brother who is still schooling. Our whole family loves music and dancing," she says.

Her favourite books 'Harry Potter' and a few 'Shakespearean' story books still lie by the side of her bed. "I like fiction. They give me a thrilling and exciting experience," she says.

"A bouquet of thanks would be given especially to my parents, the Technique International, my principal, my music and English teachers, and my boss, Mr. Thissa Nanayakkara of Seylan Bank," she concludes.