Arts
Tomorrow, young hopefuls face big day
After eight weeks of rigorous training, Miss World Sri Lanka takes centrestage tomorrow, September 18. Organisers Model Shop are ready to present the fifth edition of the Siyatha Miss World Sri Lanka pageant at the Colombo Hilton in grand style.
Pix from the ‘Kamsins Most Beautiful in Eastern Wear’ and LICC Model of the Year mini pageants held last Sunday. Pix by Indika Handuwala
Speaking to the Sunday Times, silver screen star and one of the directors of Model Shop, Sangeetha Weeraratne said that the pageant is in line with the international theme “Beauty with a Purpose” an initiative coined by the chairman and CEO of the Miss World Organisation Julia Morley in 1972. As in all beauty contests, Miss World Sri Lanka too has a clear focus on a contestant’s physical attributes but “the contestants must use their beauty to enhance a social cause.” The winner will be a “voice for our country” when she represents Sri Lanka on an international platform at the highly anticipated ‘Miss World 2017’ to be held in Sanya, China on November 18.
In line with the theme, each contestant for the Miss World Sri Lanka chooses a project – a social cause that they would like to present to an international audience. This year the international pageant has a greater emphasis on social media and interactivity, Sangeetha adds. The Miss World 2017 organisers have thus announced “The Head to Head Challenge” where the contestants make a two-minute presentation introducing themselves to international audiences. Based on a popular vote, contestants will then be given 30 to 45 seconds to answer questions from the presenter and the online community who will then be asked to choose a winner via a free vote.
On the emergence of the use of an online platform for Miss World Sangeetha states “Facebook for example is used at present to showcase one’s personality, emotions and feelings.” “It should be used on a more professional spectrum,” Sangeetha remarks adding that especially those in the industry should use it to market themselves to an outside audience.
With 13 mini pageants from Sports and fitness, SINGER Miss Talent, Dances of Sri Lanka, Model of the year, Congeniality, Personality, Selfie Queen, Body Beautiful completed, the final pageant promises to be a nail biting affair.
Sangeetha comments on the slight disadvantage in terms of height our girls face when compared to particularly the contestants from European countries.“We look for someone who can be truly identified as Sri Lankan,” she states, noting that models who represent the country need that distinguishing quality that makes them embody Asian characteristics.
Although there will be only one winner crowned, most contestants, benefit from being ambassadors for products, brands, some secure modelling contracts, some even go on to become advisors in the industry. These beauties thus emerge as well accomplished confident young women whom the country can be proud of, Sangeetha points out.
The Siyatha Miss World Sri Lanka finals will be tomorrow, Monday, September 18, at the Colombo Hilton at 6.30 p.m.
