A charming lass with a zest for life – she is Komangodage Thilini Kumari, Miss Sri Lanka for Miss Tourism World Winner 2022.
In Thilini, it is a combination of beauty and brains. She currently serves as a Special Projects Program Manager at the ESOFT Metro Campus in Colombo. She has also served as the University’s Assistant Registrar.
Thilini, born and bred in Pilimatalawa, wears several hats. Apart from being a lecturer in English she is a linguist, model, dancer, announcer and budding actress.
She had her primary education at Wattappala Central College and secondary education at Mahamaya Girls’ College, Kandy. Thilini’s talents were well showcased during her school days. She actively participated in all-Island competitions, such as singing, dancing, acting, announcing in Sinhala and English. She also did voice recordings in Sinhala, English and Tamil. She was also a prefect at school.
At the Sinhala Days in school she carried off many prizes, it was the same story at other events too. So much so that other students told Thilini “If you are competing we will not have a chance”. Thilini assured them that it was not so, but and if they tried hard enough that they too would be successful.
Higher education
She then did her Diploma in English at the Sri Lanka International Buddhist Academy (SIBA) in Kandy. Thilini also successfully completed her Bachelor of Arts (General) Degree there and then proceeded to obtain her Masters of Arts in English Linguistics at the University of Kelaniya. She is currently reading for her Doctor of Philosophy in Education at the Lincoln University in Malaysia. Thilini is doing this online. She has proven qualifications in English Language, IT, Management and Counselling Psychology as well.
She is also at the end exam of the Bhath Kanda Sangeeth Visharadha in Oriental music.
Thilini’s lovely voice brought her to the attention of Prof. Darry L. Harris and Mrs. Buddhi Ariyarathne who chose her to be the main singer in Sanda Kinduru, a drama in English directed by him. She sang ‘The Blossoming Trees’ to much acclaim.
Thilini got the desire to compete in a beauty pageant and she was looking at contest such as the Avurudu Kumari contest, when a friend told her that she had the ability to represent Sri Lanka in the international beauty pageant arena.
Inspired by her friends’ encouragement, Thilini took up the challenge with both hands and filed an application for Miss Sri Lanka for Miss Tourism World 2022.
Thilini entered the competition determined to win the crown. She swept the boards at the contest by not only winning the title but winning other titles as well.
She won the Best National Costume, Best Top Model, Best Miss Popular and Best Miss Intelligent contests.
She is the only one who is representing Sri Lanka at the Miss. Tourism World 2022. The special scenario is that this mega pageant is happening in Sri Lanka this time with the participation of the winners from over 80 countries.
National costume
Thilini’s national costume was designed by Venuka Yasas Wickramarachchi. Thilini opted to base her costume on Valliamma, consort of God Kataragama. The costume was in vibrant colours, echoed the beautiful colours of the peacocks plumage and came with the replica of the many hands of Valliamma. The costume weighed around 30Kg.
In spite of the weight of the costume Thilini handled her costume dexterously. Her costume included a halo which was powered by a control switch. At the main contest, and the mini contest Thilini’s skills in fire acts, singing, dancing and English announcing were well showcased at the talent round in the pageant. Those she was confident of winning the crown still when it was a place on her head she felt a surge of incredulous happiness and pride. Winning the mini contest brought her great joy and pride in her achievements. The pageant was held at The Suriya Resort in Waikkal. Thilini expressed her immense gratitude to pageant Director, Malith Ranasinghe and official choreographers Arjuna and Nilu Senanayake. As well as all who helped her to reach the pinnacle of fame.
However, the path to winning the crown of Miss Sri Lanka for Miss. World Tourism wasn’t an easy one. She had to face opposition from relatives and others who knew her. One of the objections was that as a university lecturer, she should not take part in beauty contests. Undaunted, Thilini went ahead and applied.
It was a gruelling journey for Thilini. For about 4-5 months she practised hard, travelling from Kandy to Kurunegala for practice sessions with her choreographer, Kushantha Hasith. Practices would commence around 6.30 p.m. and continue to 3.00 a.m. The Basanbec family, owners of the Platly Ceylon brand, supported Thilini in this endeavour. Also, every week she travelled from Kandy to Colombo for her training sessions.
Youtube channel
Thilini is on the bandwagon with her Youtube Channel ‘Learn with TiNi’. This channel, still in its founding stages, is being fast developed by Thilini. Included in it are English lessons and entertainment showcasing Thilini’s talents.
Thilini is also a talented songwriter and composer of melodies. She will be launching a collection of her songs in the near future. Actually, song writing is her hobby and she does it for relaxation. She is a member of the International Toastmasters Club under the ESOFT Toastmasters Club. She is also a member of the Lions Club of Colombo Ceylon Excellence.
Her mother and younger brother are Thilini’s beloved family members, and they are the rocks Thilini always leans on. Her gratitude to them is boundless. Thilini is one of those rare human beings who is absolutely content with her current lot in life. She has achieved much in her life and aims to reach for the stars.
Thilini is lovely lass with plenty of guts and grit and great determination. Once she has a mind fix on a goal she will let nothing deter her from achieving it. These qualities are sure to take her path in this life.
Thilini is a Buddhist, but has much respect and tolerance for all other religions.
An essential feminist Thilini adores dresses and any other attire which enhances her feminity.
‘Dream it, chase it and achieve it somehow’ are the keywords in Thilini’s happy and contented life. This charming personality in whom beauty and brains are well-balanced urges people to follow this maxim. Thilini also feels that the pursuit of a goal should be carried on to journey’s end. She stresses that one should not give-up halfway. Whatever obstacles one may meet.
Thilini’s about to make a debut in the world of mega teledramas having received two invitations to portray the female lead in a couple of mega dramas.
Thilini’s no newcomer in this industry having played the lead in a short film done by the Faculty of Agriculture, University of Peradeniya.
Thilini’s future plans include the care of her mother and brother, obtaining her doctorate before she is thirty and improving and developing her multi talents and to serve society in the best way possible.
For Thilini, a beauty pageant is not confined to mere beauty. Intelligence, culture and facing challengers should be core ingredients in such events.
Thilini is also very appreciative of the support rendered to her by the ESOFT Metro Campus Family, under the blessing of Group Managing Director Dr. Dayan Rajapakse.
