Sri Lanka triumphs at lockdown pageant

Lockdowns are now a common scene, the world over, but life goes on, for many, in the ‘new normal’ setup.

Melbourne, Australia, did experience a tough lockdown, but that didn’t deter the folks, in that part of the world, from doing things the ‘new normal’ way.

Sachin Witharana, who is an Electrical Power Engineer, and a leading model, as well, and domiciled in Melbourne, was in the spotlight last month – winning the title of Mr South Asia Australia 2020.

Due to the pandemic, the pageant was held virtually (online) and the participants were from India, Sri Lanka (Sachin Witharana), Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal and Afghanistan.

Explaining the procedure to us, since this was the first time that this particular contest was held, online, Sachin said that, initially, they had to listen and interact with many leading guest speakers on fashion, modelling, personal branding, leadership, cultural engagement, positive mindset, marketing, the experiences of some past winners of previous pageants, and meeting the contestants, for the first time, online,

Sachin’s outstanding modelling career, combined with his professional educational background, helped him to win the title.

He will meet the other contestants of both Miss Sri Lanka Australia Pageant (MSLA) and Miss South Asia Australia Pageant (MSAA), for the first time, at a red carpet event, scheduled for early 2021.

Sachin will have the opportunity of representing South Asia, in Australia, in the fashion industry, community engagements, be a community ambassador, representing Sri Lankan young people, interacting with leaders, including politicians, community leaders, participate in major multicultural events, sporting events, and take part in mainstream fashion shows.

Sachin says he took to modelling, in Australia, through the guidance he received from his aunt and her family.

“I was more focused on my engineering career, in Australia, and was determined to establish myself as an engineer, before getting involved in the modelling scene.

“But, it has happened, and…hopefully, it will be a promising journey, where i can make my family, and my country, proud.”

Referring to his modelling journey, he said it all started by accident.

“When I was doing my bachelors degree, in Sri Lanka, I did a couple of shoots for my university and things just escalated from that point onwards.

“I need to add that I had the blessing of learning from many greats in the modelling industry – folks like Sameera Weerasinghe, Brian Kerkoven, and Lou Ching Wong.

“I would like to especially thank Brian Kerkoven for always sticking by me, supporting me, and encouraging me to reach many levels in the modelling industry.

“He has been my mentor and my manager – always making sure that I did the right thing, like a true mentor.

“He has created many greats in the modelling industry, in Sri Lanka, and I am proud to call him my manager.”

Talking about the pageants, Miss/Mr Sri Lanka and Miss/Mr South Asia, held in Australia, he said that these pageants are a product of Savish Corporation, Australia, who are in the forefront of the fashion industry, in Australia, introducing South Asian fashion and traditional Sri Lankan bridal wear, to the Australian fashion scene..

Dilkie Perera, the Managing Director of Savish, is also associated with the US-based pageant Mrs Globe Worldwide, and is the current Director for Mrs Globe Sri Lanka and Mrs Globe Australasia.