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It was Jacqueline’s night
By Nadia Fazlulhaq
“It is rare a woman wears a crown, but once she puts it on, she’s always a Queen”. And vivacious beauty Jacqueline Fernandez looked every inch a queen as she was chosen Sri Lanka’s most beautiful woman and crowned the Trillium Hi!! Miss Sri Lanka for Miss Universe at the grand pageant held on March 25 at the Galle Face Hotel.

It was a glittering audience who gathered at the Galle Face Hotel that evening. As the lights dimmed, a wonderful dance performance held the audience spellbound to open the evening. Among the dancing beauties were the eleven finalists who had made it through months of rigorous training.
The panel of judges included Varuni Amunugama, Tom Tidball, Ajith Wijesekera, Rosy Senanayake, Nayana Karunaratne, Hiran Cooray and Sidath Wettimuny. Wijeya Newspapers, Trillium Residencies, Hi!! Tnlradio network, Polaroid, Glow, Sri Lankan Airlines and Derana were the main sponsors of this pageant.
The announcement of the winners of the mini pageants gave an indication of things to come. This year almost all the mini pageants went to Jacqueline Fernandez and Chathurika Fernando.

The Miss Photogenic title sponsored by Jehan Studios was won by Chaturika Fernando who also bagged the Miss Beautiful Eyes title sponsored by Polaroid. Miss Clean and Clear Skin went to Jacqueline Fernandez who also won the titles of Miss Personality, Miss Witty and Miss Glowing Skin.

The audience had a good chance to pick their favourite as the finalists first took the ramp in beachwear and then in evening wear. These were designed by Lou Ching Wong. Elegant but simple jewellery complemented their attire
While the finalists dazzled on the ramp, there was also entertainment aplenty with Koluu and Indu providing a bellyful of laughs.

And then it was time to announce the semi-finalists. Anoma Priyadharshani, Irosha Kurera, Lakmini Kumari Jayaratne, Chaturika Fernando and Jacqueline Fernandez made the final five and faced the question-time with confidence.
Last year’s Miss Sri Lanka for Miss Universe Rozanne Diaz made a grand entrance in a lovely turquoise evening dress to cheers from the audience.

The moment was here….and suspense filled every nook and corner of the room. The second runner-up was Irosha Kurera who stepped up with tears in her eyes. Chathurika Fernando was announced as the first runner-up and then a radiant Jacqueline Fernandez was named as Trillium Hi!! Miss Sri Lanka for Miss Universe 2006.

As the winner Jacqueline carried away many prizes, among them air tickets, jewellery, electronic items, a cellular phone, a specially designed wardrobe for the Miss Universe pageant etc. The pageant was organized by Kamini Mukundan of Ricocchet Productions.

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