Representing Sri Lanka at the 52nd Miss Intercontinental competition, now being held in Sharm El Sheik, Egypt, is Prathibha Liyanaarachchi. She is a designer at MAS holdings, visiting lecturer, model, and a graduate from the University of Moratuwa. Before her departure for Egypt, I had a chat with Prathibha and this is how it all went... 01. How would you describe yourself? I would say I’m a strong and resilient individual, always striving to balance my work, and personal life, while achieving success. At my core, I’m an artist who loves to explore the world, connect with different cultures, and meet new people. 02. If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be? I truly love the person I’ve become, and I wouldn’t change anything about myself. The experiences and choices that have shaped me have led me to be who I am today, and I’m grateful for that. 03. If you could change one thing about your family, what would it be? I come from a big family, with five siblings, and I’m the second eldest. If I could change one thing, probably it would be to have been the youngest—living a more relaxed life, with fewer worries and troubles. Haha! 04. School? My last school was Visakha Vidyalaya. During my school years, I was an active MC and held leadership roles in both the Astronomy and Interact Clubs. I was always involved in extracurricular activities and rarely stayed in class, but I managed to do well in my exams. In the end, my hard work paid off, and I was able to get into the University of Moratuwa. 05. Happiest moment? There are so many memorable moments, but I would say the happiest one was the day I showcased my design collection at Colombo Fashion Week, while also walking as a model at the same event. It was a surreal and fulfilling experience, combining two passions in one unforgettable moment. 06. What is your idea of perfect happiness? Perfect happiness comes from within. It’s a state of mind where you find satisfaction in the small achievements you make, the way you navigate life, and how you face challenges with resilience. True happiness lies in embracing the journey and being content with who you are and what you’ve accomplished. 07. Are you religious? Yes, I am. I believe in the universe and the natural systems that connect all of us. I have a deep faith in the idea that if we put good into the world, good will come back to us. 08. Are you superstitious? I like to think of superstitions as the design principles of the universe unprovable, but strangely comforting when things get chaotic. 09. Your ideal guy? My ideal guy is someone with a strong character and a kind heart; someone who lives authentically and embraces life freely. Above all, he would be someone who truly understands me, supporting and connecting with me on a deep level. 10. Which living person do you most admire? The person I most admire is my mum. Raising five kids and facing numerous life challenges, she taught me invaluable lessons in resilience and perseverance. Through her strength and determination, she showed me the importance of moving forward with grace, never dwelling on regrets. Her ability to handle adversity with such poise has shaped my outlook on life and continues to inspire me every day. 11. Which is your most treasured possession? The bond I share with my family. It’s because of them that I am who I am today. Their support, love, and connection are irreplaceable; everything I value most in life builds from that foundation. 12. If you were marooned on a desert island, who would you like as your companion? I’d choose my best friends. They’ve been with me through thick and thin, and I know we’d make the best out of any situation. Plus, we’d probably have some hilarious moments to look back on. Couldn’t ask for better company, even on a desert island, 13. Your most embarrassing moment? Ohh, when I accidentally walked into a tuition class really late, right as it was about to end. Everyone turned to stare, and I had no idea what was going on. I quickly realized I had missed most of the class, and I was just standing there awkwardly while everyone waited for me to find a seat. I tried to play it cool, but I could feel my face turning bright red. Definitely one of those moments I won’t forget anytime soon. 14. Done anything daring? One of the most daring things I’ve done was in a modelling show where I actually ramped in a wheelchair. It was part of a themed runway that embraced breaking barriers and challenging norms. I was a little nervous at first, but it ended up being an empowering experience. It was definitely a bold move, and the crowd’s reaction made it all worth it; felt like I was part of something bigger than just a show. 15. Your ideal vacation? My ideal vacation would be a trip around Sri Lanka. I’d love to explore its beautiful beaches, like Mirissa and Unawatuna, where I could spend the day soaking up the sun and enjoying the waves. I’m also really into street food, so I’d make sure to dive into local treats, like kottu roti, and fresh seafood from the market. There’s something about the mix of adventure, relaxation, and amazing food that makes Sri Lanka feel like the perfect getaway. 16. What kind of music are you into? I love acoustic music...it’s so calm and soothing, like candy to my ears. There’s something about the simplicity and rawness of acoustic sounds that just resonates with me. 17. Favourite radio station? I don’t have a personal favourite, but sometimes I listen to Sun FM, as it features the latest music hits. 18. Favourite TV station? My favourite TV station is NBC since it covers mostly the sports and entertainment that I like most. 19 What would you like to be born as in your next life? If I could be born again, I would choose to be a scientist focused on finding solutions for the diseases that impact children and people. I want to use my knowledge and research to make a real difference, helping to improve lives and create a healthier future for everyone. 20. Any major plans for the future? Yes, to continue serving my community by expanding my brand and using it as a platform to create positive change. At the same time, I am committed to furthering my education in fashion design and technology, aiming to combine creativity with innovation to contribute to the evolving fashion industry. By blending these passions, I hope to make a lasting impact, both in my community and in the world of fashion.
jili178 sign up
。
Trump vows to pursue executions after Biden commutes most of federal death row
New business launches tool to help SME achieve net zeroMcDermott, AFC East-leading Bills refreshed coming out of bye week, and looking ahead to host 49ers
TORONTO — The injury-ravaged Toronto Maple Leafs placed Matthew Knies on injured reserve Friday and signed fellow forward Alex Nylander to a one-year contract, recalling him from the AHL Marlies. Knies was hurt in a mid-ice check by Las Vegas defenceman Zach Whitecloud in the Toronto's 3-0 home win Wednesday. Knies did not return and has been placed on injured reserve retroactive to Wednesday with an upper-body injury. Toronto is already missing captain Auston Matthews, Max Domi, David Kampf, Max Pacioretty and Calle Jarnkrok due to injury, as well as Ryan Reaves, who is one game into his five-game ban for felling Oilers defenceman Darnell Nurse with an illegal check to the head. Whitecloud, who stood up as he delivered the hit, was not penalized for the punishing check despite video review, but got a minor roughing penalty for tangling with Simon Benoit, who got a four-minute roughing call for his attempted retribution. "They thought it was a clean hit so it's a clean hit," Leafs coach Craig Berube said after the game, referencing the league. "Really there's nothing to say." Under league rules, a player placed on Injured reserve is ineligible to compete in NHL games for at least seven days. Toronto (12-6-2) hosts Utah on Sunday before heading to Florida to play at the Panthers on Wednesday. Veteran Leafs defenceman Oliver Ekman-Larsson missed practice Friday due to illness. The club recalled defenceman Philippe Myers from a conditioning stint with the Marlies. The 27-year-old from Moncton, who signed as a free agent in July, has appeared in one game with the Leafs this season. Nylander's contract is worth $775,000. The 26-year-old Nylander, the younger brother of Leafs star William Nylander, has eight goals and four assists in 14 games with the Toronto Marlies this season. The six-foot-one 205-pounder has 222 career points (102 goals, 120 assists) in 344 regular-season AHL games split between Toronto, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, Rockford and Rochester. The younger Nylander has 49 points (25 goals, 24 assists) in 121 career NHL games split between Columbus, Pittsburgh, Chicago and Buffalo. He won a silver medal with Sweden at the 2018 IIHF World Junior Championships. Alex Nylander joined the Toronto organization as a free agent, signing a one-year AHL contract in July. He was originally selected by the Sabres in the first round (eight overall) of the 2016 NHL Draft. The injuries have promoted a string of call-ups for the Leafs. Fraser Minter scored his first NHL goal Wednesday in his season debut and fifth career NHL game while Russian Nikita Grebenkin made his NHL debut. --- This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 22, 2024. The Canadian PressNone