When we hear the name ‘Srimali Fonseka’ it brings back to our memories the honor and glory she bestowed upon this country by winning the Mrs. Sri Lanka 2012 and Mrs. Asia International 2012 contest which was held in Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur. By profession a beauty consultant she is also passionate on the subject of fashion designing. After she became Mrs. Sri Lanka she got more involved with charity work mainly involving children. Her vision is to uplift the life of those children who do not get adequate love, financial support and proper education. She also works as an actress and a fashion model. Recently she was appointed as one of the judges, to select the beauty queen for the Miss Global Sri Lanka International 2014 beauty contest that was organized by Boston Lanka where the winner will take part in the International contest to be held in Jamaica during December 2014.
Boston Lanka: What do you feel about being a judge in the Miss Global Sri Lanka contest?
Actually I have judged a few pageants in the recent past as well. After I emerged winner in the pageant I took part; I was appointed as a judge in the very next international pageant. This is something special to me, since it was organized by Sri Lankans who lives in USA. The girls I was expecting were better. So basically I think the pageant was good and the final judgment was exactly correct. They contestants were averagely ok because they didn’t have much time to prepare. So I would say they did rather well under the time constraints.
Boston Lanka: What was your role in the judge panel and what are the area’s that you specifically looked into in a contestant?
Mainly I considered the look because when we come to the stage we have to see the look of the contestants and of course the personality and also kind of how they handle the questions which is also important.
Boston Lanka: What were your thoughts when you were appointed as a judge for this contest by Boston Lanka Media Network?
Actually I was really happy. They called me three days before the pageant and I adjusted my schedule and decided to attend it. I didn’t know much about Boston Lanka but through the social media networks such as Facebook I have seen the things they’ve been involved with. So I quite happily accepted the invitation.
Boston Lanka: Tell us when did you first start modeling or taking part in beauty pageants and were there any incidents in your life that got you into this field?
Before I emerged winner, I haven’t done any modeling or taken part in any contests as such. It was my first pageant and somehow I won it. I wanted to participate as Miss Sri Lanka but I never had the time to do so. So I was waiting for a pageant to take part as Mrs. Sri Lanka and I got to hear about this from the media and applied for it. I got selected and of course I won the title. I was the only person who won this title after Rosi Senanayake, 27 years ago.
Boston Lanka: Where do you draw your inspirations from?
When I was small I had this dream, this vision. As children we all have a dream we want to aspire to. Rosi Senanyake was my role model. I wanted to be like her one day.
Boston Lanka: How do you think, winning these kinds of pageants impacts the recipients’ life? Is there a negative side to it as well?
It depends on the person. If you do something bad it will have negative impact in your life. If your actions are good it will impact your life in a positive manner. It depends on how you act with the title you received as well. Up to now I haven’t misused my title and I take things slowly, and I don’t want to taint my name with unwanted actions. I want to be a good icon in Sri Lanka and to be a role model for the children. That’s my main objective.
Boston Lanka: Do you have any motto’s that defines yourself or you live by? My motto is, live happily and make the lives of others happy. I don’t have many plans in my life.
Boston Lanka: As per your perception, what’s the meaning of life?
That is doesn’t depend on anyone. Your happiness can be found only by you.
Boston Lanka: What words of wisdom would you like to dispense to the young and aspiring models?
Modeling is not an easy task. You have to possess the talent and the looks. So what I mainly want to tell is, there are so many models out there but the actions of some have intentionally or unintentionally tarnished the name of our profession. So if you are a model or intend to become one you have to act, conduct yourself and be like one, with grace and decorum.
By Heshan Perera
