MODEL AND BEAUTY QUEEN
Q: How were you discovered?
A: A photographer from Shenelle magazine stopped me on the street and gave me his business card. I was waiting for my A-Level results and had plans to travel overseas for higher studies so I put the card aside. Subsequently, I bumped into Senaka De Silva and decided to enrol in his academy of fashion and photographic modelling.
Q: What did you learn from modelling?
A: I worked with Senaka De Silva, Graham Hatch and many other designers too. They had high standards and were strict disciplinarians. It’s in my nature to always give a hundred percent to whatever I undertake. I wanted to be the best so I learned discipline, responsibility and professionalism – and all those qualities helped me grow as a person.
Q: How did you move from modelling to beauty pageants?
A: When I reached a certain level as a model, I took part in and won the first Male/Female Model of the Year in Sri Lanka. But I felt I could do more and represent Sri
Lanka in a bigger way, which is why I entered my first beauty pageant.
Q: Which competition experience was your favourite
– and why?
A: Going to the Miss Universe pageant. It was a wonderful platform – a single place to share, connect and build friendships. I was given the spotlight in Jon Secada’s music video and had the distinction of opening the national costume parade. I was placed 22nd out of 82 contestants and even though I didn’t win, I learned a lot.
I also enjoyed the Mrs World pageant. The competition is a real celebration of women because it shows that the role of a woman doesn’t end with becoming a wife and mother. Again, I was chosen to open the national costume parade and placed fourth runner-up – the only
Asian in the finale.
Q: You were also a cofounder of Sri Lanka’s first web development company?
A: Yes. In 1996, I was ready to leave fashion and beauty so I launched a company called Web Syndicate in partnership with my then husband. I wasn’t familiar with IT but had the curiosity to learn and an ambition to excel
– and my PR and marketing skills came in handy.
It was wonderful to start something from scratch, and watch it grow and succeed. For instance, we were the first to have our own state-of-the-art design studio in
Pelawatte. But eventually, the war took its toll on the business and I moved to Dubai with my children. I don’t believe in being stuck in a rut so I set out to take up challenges of my own.