Brains and beauty

Giving a whole new dimension to the stereotypical belief that beauty queens are "all beauty and no brains," this year's Miss Sri Lanka for Miss World Romanthi Maria Colombage is nothing short of a final year MBA student! How's that for putting an abrupt halt to what can only be referred to now as a "popular myth?"

Romanthi, better known in the industry as Maria, has been modelling for the past seven years, from the time she was just 17. Having always had a very unassuming, matter-of-fact attitude towards modelling and even her life in general, this was her first time participating in the pageant. Not only did she bag the main title of the night, but she was also awarded the mini titles 'Best Body' and 'Best Skin,' adjudged prior to the main event which was held on September 27 at Water's Edge.

"As I'd never taken part in the contest before, I thought it'll have to be now or never! And as I also got a lot of support and encouragement from everyone around me, I decided to participate," said Maria. The judging process took place over the course of a month, starting off with a week-long training programme held in Hikkaduwa. The eight to ten Mini Pageants were also held during this same week, she added.

"We had to wake up every day at 6 a.m and be dressed and made up by 7 a.m. in the hotel lobby. We only got back to our rooms at about 1 a.m. every night so, it was an absolutely exhausting schedule," said Maria. "This sort of routine was especially drawn up so we could get accustomed to the type of programme we'd have to keep to at the Miss World Pageant and also learn to work together as a team," she explained. In addition, the 20 contestants also had to go through daily yoga sessions and were taught how to walk, and so on. By the final day, eight of the contestants were eliminated, leaving the final 12 that competed at the final last month.

"I was surprised and quite excited when I found out I'd won and am really looking forward to meeting other contestants from around the world as I love getting to know strangers and keeping in touch with them," she said excitedly. Although the main Miss World pageant itself will be held on December 1, in Sanya, China, the participants have to be there a month ahead to prepare and take part in the mini pageants.

A product of Holy Family Convent – Bambalapitiya, Maria left school soon after her O/L's and did a Diploma in Fashion Designing from the Institute of Fashion and Technology (now called the Lanka Institute of Fashion Technology). Having graduated from LIFT when she was just 18, she got herself a Diploma from the Chartered Institute of Marketing – UK (CIM) at 22. She's currently completing the final stage of her Masters in Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Wales via the Imperial Institute of Higher Education, in Colombo.

Having successfully overcome the stereotypical label of “Bimbo” that follows the likes of models and beauty queens, Maria also works as a Marketing Executive at a company that deals with lingerie. "I've always been adamant not to be typecast, which is one of the main reasons I placed a high emphasis on my studies," she said modestly.

When she was first getting into modelling, she was given a six-month training by the choreographer cum designer Seneka de Silva. After which, it seems like she took to the ramp 'like a duck to water'. "When it came to modelling my mum was always behind me as she must have seen my potential, I guess," said Maria thankfully. "Although both my parents were very supportive, they were also quite protective, so much so that they would accompany me to the various shows and shoots, pick and drop me and even waited with me during the show," she says with a laugh, thinking back.

Maria has always preferred doing ramp shows and she even started off her modelling career with a fashion show in Dubai, she said. She's had quite a bit of international exposure, having done shows in Pakistan, India, London, Germany and Singapore and worked with numerous designers both at home and abroad. Having shared the ramp with many an international model too, has only enriched her experiences further, she added. In addition, she's also done countless ramp and hair shows and TV commercials at home too, and has worked with most, if not all Sri Lanka's top designers. Having also featured on Fashion Television (FTV) -Colombo-India together with other local and Indian models, Maria's had more than her fair share of experiences, considering she's only 23.

"I also hope to support Ranaviru Sevana in whatever way I can, when I return from the Pageant," said Maria sincerely. "I also have to thank Ramzi Rahman, Michael Wijesooriya, Rozanne Dias, Lou Ching Wong, Andre Estefan, Derana TV, all the other models, my family, friends, loved ones and everyone who's been behind me all the way," she said very appreciatively.