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 red, blue and white.

Dilkie Perera, Director of both Pageants, thanked the President and Committee of the Sinhalese Cultural Association, Directors of “Ramon helps”, Mr & Mrs Rakesh, and the Bangaladeshi Cultural Group, for the opportunity to participate. “It was quite an experience and proud moment,” Dilkie said.

The team included:

Dilkie Perera (Director, Pageants)

Savindi Perera-Jainudeen (Executive, Pageants)

Vishni Perera-Jainudeen (Marketing, Pageants)

Rashmi Wijesekere (Miss winner, MSLA)

Harshini Boyagama (Miss runner-up, MSLA)

Devoral Oliver (Miss Victoria, MSLA)

Jen Jayaseelan (Miss Sri Lanka, MSAA)

Damsara Menuwara (Mr Sri Lanka, MSLA)

Kanila Senadhera (Mr Victoria, MSLA)

Nioral Kaluhendiwela (Mr Sri Lanka runner-up, MSLA)