These women have entered the field and revolutionized themselves and the perception of beauty and the field of modeling in the country.There are many negative labels that models are tagged with – some of them being BIMBO, Ditz, frivolous and FAST they say. If you take a sharp look at Colombo, one doesn’t have to be a model to be all this and more – but invariably and quite unfairly every model or Beauty Queen inherits this title by the vast majority of citizens. But what most people don’t realize is that there is a new breed of model and Beauty Queen in the country that is educated above average and is a well rounded citizen, not just another pretty face in glamorous clothes. There are also admirable and strong women in the industry who know how to handle corruption and bow out gracefully instead of falling prey to hands that want to misuse their positions. There are many out there who work with them closely and know these women personally – they get to see them for who they really are – real human beings like you and me following a dream that they are entitled to. Most often Sri Lankan models are treated quite shabbily in comparison to international models that come down to work on shows, by our own Sri Lankans. You’d think our own would treat our ladies better – but in the end it just goes to show that the industry often puts up with such nonsense or has little to fight against it. Beauty Pageants have been speculated to be rigged and favorites are supposed to be the norm – but Sunday night at the Revlon Miss Sri Lanka for Miss Universe contest – this was far from the case. As a keen observer of the show, I was impressed that more remarkably beautiful women (both on the inside and outside) had come forward to contest this year. And not only were some of them models by profession but some of them were ambitious students, educationists, designers and professionals fighting for the title. The final contestants this year were a dozen of equally educated and beautiful women and it was quite a tough task to guess who would win the title.

I would be kidding myself if I didn’t think that people had their favorites and that most people were rooting for the prettiest contestant to bag the title – but convention wasn’t going to win this battle this time around, as Ishanka Madurasinghe (a dusky Lankan beauty) snatched away the title. Beautiful Ornella took second place to Ishanka at the contest and as many who consider fairer skin more beautiful would have been quite disappointed at the prospect of her losing out on the main title. As the pageant was about beauty, brains, talent and personality – I’m sure all these women were far from lacking in these segments. But it was quite refreshing to see a dusky lady snag the title this year and as the bar in the beauty industry is raised to higher ground; I’m most certain more young women out there will definitely consider vying for the title in the ensuing years as well.

The beauty industry has been lacking of a face lift in recent times and has been subject to undue negativity, with the best of talent and beauty going overseas or simply shying away from the spotlight. But with younger women, who set exemplary examples and show the world that they can be in this glamorous industry and not get in over their heads too much, they will pave the way for a better future for the Modeling and Beauty industries. With more women coming forward and revolutionizing the image of the field and showcasing it as an art and profession in its rightful sense – Sri Lanka possesses greater opportunity to unearth Super models and Beauty Queens of international status. Congratulations ladies – this one is out for you!