Twinkle shines bright at Miss Intercontinental Sri Lanka
Another night of beauty pageant excitement concluded at Galadari Colombo main ballroom on November 7, with Twinkle Goonathilake being crowned as Akshata Miss Intercontinental Sri Lanka 2019. Anjuni Hettiarachchi was adjudged the 1st runner-up and Doyel Dawson emerged 2nd runner-up.
Akshata, known for its traditional rice varieties, among them its flagship product Suwandel rice, was the show’s sponsor.
The first segment of the ceremony featured the 16 finalists in nature and wildlife inspired outfits created by Gihan Nanayakkara.
The 16 contestants - Kavindya Mathotaarachchi, Dinithi Dharmarathne, Maduhansi Hasinthara, Doyel Dawson, Abinaya Sabalingam, Nimnavi Priyalakshana, Hiruni Wijesinghe, Annetha Nicholas, Hashini Peiris, Michelle Jayaratne, Ayeshika Wickramasinghe, Anjuni Hettiarachchi, Twinkle Goonathilake, Rebecca Peiris, Ananya De Silva and Shashika Fernando were formally introduced to the audience in the second segment.
The judges for the grand finale were designer & fashion consultant Michael Wijesuriya, founder president of the American Alumni Association Dr.Janaka Edirisinghe, soprano Kishani Jayasinghe, Resident Country Director at Millennium Challenge Corporation Jenner Edelman and the reigning Miss Intercontinental 2018 Karen Gallman.
The third segment of the night, “Garden of Desires” saw the contestants adorned in saree outfits designed by Thimani Rodrigo of Tanash Studios and Atelier.
The sarees were paired with floral patterned jackets.
The final segment unveiled the finalists in evening dresses designed by six designers namely Maleesha Rukshani, Kanishka Dias, Chathu Liyanage, Prasad Vidanage, Adeeshika Rodriguez and Rochelle Tissera.
After an entertainment break the excitement mounted when Anjuni Hettiarachchi, Twinkle Goonethilake, Doyel Dawson, Hiruni Wijesinghe, Aneetha Nicholas, Hashini Peiris and Ayeshika Wickramasinghe were announced as the top seven.
Amidst much applause from the audience, Twinkle was sashed as Akshata Miss Intercontinental Sri Lanka 2019 by Nisansala Sewwandi, Miss Intercontinental Sri Lanka 2018. She was crowned by the reigning queen Miss Intercontinental Karen Gallman. Twinkle took her maiden walk as queen wearing the crown designed by LASKA Jewellery Studio.
Twenty- three-year-old Twinkle is a past student of Visakha Vidyalaya, Colombo. Completing her studies in fashion designing and business entrepreneurship, she aspires to be a fashion designer with her own fashion label.
The evening was hosted by Danu and the pageant was directed by Rozanne Diasz.
Mini pageant winners:
Twinkle Goonathilake - “Miss Catwalk” Doyel Dawson - “Miss Fitness” and “Miss Personality”
Anjuni Hettiarachchi - “Miss Congeniality,” “Miss Photogenic” and “Miss Elegant”
Michelle Jayaratne- “Best Skin” Dinithi Dharmarathne - “Luscious Hair”
Ayeshika Wickramasinghe -”Miss Talent”
Kavindya Mathotaarachchi- “Miss Adventurous”
Rebecca Peiris - “Miss Popular” Hashini Peiris - “Miss Body Beautiful” Abinaya Sabalingam - “Miss Perseverance”
Sashika Fernando - “Miss Model”