Anudi Gunasekara, who represented Sri Lanka at the 72nd Miss World pageant held in India, returned to the island today (June 2).
Upon her arrival, Gunasekara expressed her gratitude to those who supported her throughout her journey.
“This was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and a truly beautiful memory. All I wanted was to bring pride to my country — and I believe I achieved that,” she said.
“I think Miss World 2025 was crowned to someone truly deserving, and I wish her all the best. Winning that crown is no easy feat. Personally, I’m proud of what I accomplished. I became the first Sri Lankan in recent history to qualify for the finals in three key fast-track events: Multimedia, Talent, and the Head-to-Head Challenge, among contestants from 108 countries.”
She further reflected on the challenges faced during her time at the pageant:
“It wasn’t an easy journey, but I endured it because of the immense love and support I received from my country. I hope the same support will be extended to future representatives as well. I represented my country with its name — Sri Lanka — not my own. I have no intention of participating in any other pageants going forward. My lifelong dream was to take part in Miss World. I gave it my all, and that is my greatest satisfaction.”
The grand finale of the international pageant took place on May 31 at the HITEX Convention Centre in Hyderabad, Telangana, with participants from 108 countries competing across a variety of categories.
Although Gunasekara did not advance to the Top 40 quarterfinalists, her participation drew considerable attention and acclaim.
Notably, she made history by becoming the first Sri Lankan contestant to qualify for the finals in three key fast-track events: Multimedia, Talent, and Head-to-Head Challenge.
Her performance in the Multimedia Challenge, where she secured the position of First Runner-Up, marked the highest placement ever achieved by a Sri Lankan in that segment.
Despite not progressing to the final 40, Gunasekara’s achievements at the 72nd Miss World pageant represent a significant milestone for Sri Lanka, showcasing both her individual talent and the potential of Sri Lankan representatives on the global stage.
