A touch of Lanka in Australia Day Parade – by Marie Pietersz (Melbourne) Participants of the Miss Sri Lanka-Australia Pageant (MSLA) and Miss South Asia-Australia Pageant (MSAA) 2017 provided a splash of colour when they marched in the Australia Day Parade on 26 January 2018 as a post-Pageant activity.   Wearing Kandyan sarees and Nilame suits (Mul Anduma), crowns and sashes, the Sri Lankan winners showcased Sri Lankan culture, walking for the fourth consecutive year under the Sinhalese Cultural Association banner, and greeting people with the traditional “Ayubowan”.   It was a new experience for the Miss South Asia-Australia Pageant winners in the first year of this Pageant. Winners with Indian and Bangladeshi heritage walked with their respective groups. The contingent of walkers included eight contestants, male and female, dressed and styled by Savish Traditional, managed and photographed by Vishni Perera-Jainudeen and led by Savindi Perera-Jainudeen, Pageant Executive, carrying the Sri Lankan flag. Nilame costumes represented the Australian flag colours of ...

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Celebrating 70 years of Sri Lanka’s Independence – by Marie Pietersz (Melbourne) National Independence Day celebrations included Miss Sri Lanka-Australia Pageant 2017 winners greeting guests at the 70th anniversary of the Independence of Sri Lanka 2018 celebrations held in Victoria.  Dressed in sarees and sarongs, and with families in attendance, they assisted the Consulate Office with guest management activities for the fourth consecutive year. The Miss Sri Lanka-Australia Pageant provides participants of Sri Lankan heritage the opportunity to understand the history and culture of Sri Lanka, mingle with fellow citizens, VIPs and community heads and, as future leaders, participate in official events to get a first-hand experience of the responsibilities of leaders.  Participants included Savindhi and Vishni Perera-Jainudeen, Nishi Mangan, Yashodi Wickrama, Poorni Bandara, Rashmi Wijesekare, Harshini Boyagama, Jen Jayaseelan, Damsara Menuwara, Kanila Senadhera, Malan Mudalige, Dilshan Nanayakkara, Niral Kauhendiwela, Tarini Lewke and Benjamin de Silva. Applications will open on 1 March 2018 for the two Pageants in the ...

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