Through tourism, we can promote all corners of this wonderful world in which we live. The core emphasis of the Mrs. Tourism beauty pageant has always been to promote the host country of each year’s final highlighting the region’s tourism profile and therefore, benefiting the country, since each elected beauty is made a Tourism Ambassador for her country, poised to showcase her nation and its culture and tradition.
Youth Observer had the pleasure of talking to a personality, who was able to give her crown a voice over the years in the pageant industry winning on international platforms and is currently the National Director of Mrs. Tourism Sri Lanka 2022 - Thilini De Silva
Q: Hi Thilini, how are you? I would love to get to know about you. Can you please tell us about yourself?
A: Hi! I am doing fine. Yeah sure. I received my education at Ananda Girls’ College, Colombo until my O Levels. I joined St. Paul’s Milagiriya, Colombo for my Advanced Levels after which I obtained a degree in Human Resources Management.
I have also studied beauty and hairdressing in Sri Lanka and internationally; Bangkok, India and Singapore. Today, I am the owner of a beauty salon and also work as the director of Gold Ray Productions. I also hold the position of National Director, Mrs. Tourism Sri Lanka - 2022.
Through the years I have won the crown titles of Mrs. Universe Famous China 2019, Mrs. Universe Sri Lanka 2019, Mrs. Tourism Ambassador Philippines 2019, and Mrs. Best Catwalk 2019 on national and international platforms. At the same time, I am an activist for the Sustainable Welfare of Women and Children and as a social activist working to promote religious harmony within the country.
Q: What is the necessity for an event such as Mrs. Tourism?
A: Due to the prevailing Covid-19 pandemic, many married women had to stay at home. At the same time, through the Mrs. Tourism pageant, they have been able to conquer the international platforms. I see this as a golden opportunity for Sri Lanka to promote its tourism industry within a large pan of international countries.
Q: Undeniably, organizing a pageant is not an easy assignment. How do you master this challenge?
A: Everything is a challenge for everyone from birth until death. If you value yourself, you will be able to pass through any obstacle life throws at you throughout your journey.
Q: Sri Lanka’s placement, Sri Lankan food, culture, hospitality and much more is not found in any other country. How do you introduce this unique country to the world in tourism?
A: The answer to the question lies in itself. Unlike any other country in the world, we are blessed with best: Sri Lankan food, hospitality and most importantly the cultural arts, the heritage and the history of Sri Lanka. What I do know from my experiences is that most of the countries only know that Sri Lanka is a country surrounded by the sea and is well-known for elephants. We need to promote the cultural value, heritage, traditions, historical arts and crafts, the food and beverages and its unique Sri Lankan taste and most importantly the climatic conditions prevailing in the country; the ability to experience the varying climate changes. All this platform aims is to promote all the above among the world population.
Q: How do you hope to capitalize on this solitary opportunity to promote Sri Lanka’s tourism industry?
A: Having previously participated in the Mrs. Tourism Pageant as a contestant, with the wealth of experience I have gained, this year’s main objective is to elevate the Sri Lankan tourism industry internationally with those currently involved in the industry, focusing on the Sri Lankan economy from the start to the final international pageant rounds.
Q: Does this event acquire sponsorships at the diplomatic level?
A: It is being discussed, and I will be able to let you know more about it in the near future.
Q: What are the ventures that need to be taken to draw international attention to the future economic freedom of Sri Lanka?
A: The most prominent factor I see is the education system in Sri Lanka. International education should be made basic. The country should be made self-sufficient by enhancing education in Sri Lanka and producing all the things that can be produced locally in the country itself. Although it sounds a bit more challenging at the beginning, if we somehow overcome it, we will be proud citizens of a developed Sri Lanka.
Q: It was great talking to you! Is there anything further that you wish to say?
A: I love to invite all those beautiful married, divorced, widowed and even separated personalities out there to experience and win internationally and to be a part of the Mrs. Tourism Sri Lanka 2022 pageant powered by Gold Ray Productions. Let’s get together! Let’s win together! Wishing them the best. And thank you so much for having interviewed me.
Pix courtesy: Media Talent, Amesh Sulochana Photography and Kasun Shanaka
