Miss Sri Lanka in France: First ever Sri Lankan-French beauty pageant held in Paris

The Association of Negombians in Paris organized the first Sri Lankan beauty pageant contest - Miss Sri Lanka in France 2012, at the Palais des Congrès in Montreuil on Sunday (20 May) as a charity event in aid of the National Cancer Institute in Maharagama.

Ranjith Fernando, the president of the association was proud to announce that this was a charity event and all the proceedings of this event were for the National Cancer Institute in Maharagama, states a media communiqué from the Embassy of Sri Lanka in Paris.

A total of 21 participants from age 16 to 28 were competed for the title. Malsha Wickrama, Alexandrine Constantine, Chamila Jayawardana, Sandrine Sasitharan, Diana Ariyaratna, Rishani Kerowgodage, Alicia Sivarajah, Dayana Kamalanathan, Natacha Constantine, Evanthia Vincent, Marion Wettasinghe, Romaine Mathews, Ravina Weerasinghe, Kanchana Fernando, Ajani Withana, Ama Atige, Anuthara Migel, Lanika Ethige Silva and Susene Kiriliyanage contested for the crown and made this event a colourful and elegant show.

Several French-Sri Lankan artists performed at this event. Performances by E-Rangeela and her dance troupe, percussion band Chaaya Vibration, Stephan Neera, Misha and Viji Ignitius entertained the audience. The pageant closed with a concert by Bathiya & Santhush featuring Ashanti, Randhir and Umaria, one of Sri Lanka’s most successful contemporary artists who have enthralled audiences in Europe.

The event was honoured by H.E. Dr. Dayan Jayatilleka, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Sri Lanka in France and Permanent Delegate to the UNESCO, accompanied by Mrs. Sanja Jayatilleka who was also a member of the jury. The jury was headed by Mrs. Rosy Senanayake, crowned first Mrs. World in 1985, Miss Asia Pacific International in 1981 and Miss Sri Lanka for Miss World in 1980. The jury also included Mrs. Regine Ferrere – President of the National Confederation of Aesthetic Perfumery (CNPE-France) and Vice President of the French Federation of Aesthetic Perfumery, Mrs. Kisagothami Sarachchandra – daughter of distinguished Sri Lankan playwright Ediriweera Sarachchandra and Diplomat for Cultural Affairs at the Embassy of Sri Lanka for France, Mrs. Rebecca Guibert director of Agence Rebecca - an acting and advertising agency and Mr. Dominique Desrue renown French photographer specializing in portraits, were also members of the jury.

The Ambassador in his address to the gathering stressed that it was society’s duty to foster sustainable peace in Sri Lanka. Ambassador Jayatilleka also stated that, events of this genre allow Sri Lankans transcending all ethnic and religious communities to gather and socialize.

Miss Sri Lanka in France 2012 was awarded to Marion Wettasinghe and the first and second runners up are Susene Kiriliyanage and Natacha Constantine respectively.

This event was sponsored by Sri Lankan Airlines, Mohan Jewellery Mart, Nations Trust Bank, UNIVERS Pvt. Ltd., Sirasa TV Europe, Explore Voyage, Eurolanka Travel Agency, Ciel Lanka Voyages, Stone & String (sponsored the 4th and 5th runner up crowns), Couleur Sud de France (sponsored the 2nd runner up crown). Makeup artist was sponsored by Revlon. The Commercial Bank supported Bathiya and Santhush’s performance.