“I faced criticism and negativity on social media But I endured it all for my country” Anudi Gunasekara

Ag

Q&A

By Samantha Yahampath

Anudi Gunasekara, who represented Sri Lanka at the Miss  World 2025 pageant, in her maiden interview with the print media upon  her return said that although she didn’t make it to the final four at  the Miss World, she created history for Sri Lanka by becoming the first  contestant to win in three different categories at the pageant, held in  India this year- Head-to-Head Challenge (Top 20), Talent (Top 5 in  Asia), and Multimedia (Runner-up). Notably, her First Runner-Up finish  in the Multimedia Challenge marked the highest placement ever achieved  by a Sri Lankan in that segment. Competing with 108 international  contestants, Anudi brought pride and recognition to Sri Lanka and became  a trending name amongst the public.  At 25, she captured the nation’s attention, not just with  her beauty, but with her strength and compassion. Anudi exclusively  spoke to our sister paper Lankadeepa upon her return, radiating the joy  and spirit of her journey. 

QAnudi, even though you didn’t win the Miss World  crown, you have clearly won the hearts of the people in this country.  How do you feel about that?

 I’m overwhelmed by the love I’ve received. I saw it at  the airport when I returned. I never imagined I’d be welcomed with such  warmth and respect. I’d seen support on social media, but witnessing it  in person moved me to tears. Winning a crown is a big achievement — but  earning people’s love and respect is an even greater challenge. I feel  blessed to have achieved that. 

QDid you ever dream of reaching a global stage like this, coming from a place like Anuradhapura?  

Yes, absolutely. I’ve dreamed of representing Sri Lanka  at the Miss World since I was 17. Though people told me I couldn’t do  it, I never let those words hold me back. My determination, commitment,  and passion helped me turn that dream into reality. 

Q What was it like working with contestants from 108 countries for an entire month?  

It was an incredible experience. We built strong  friendships. We spoke about our countries, cultures, and personal  journeys. We’ve even made plans to travel together in the future. No  matter what happened, I gained beautiful friendships that I’ll cherish  forever. 

QYou made history by placing in three categories at Miss World as the first-ever Miss Sri Lanka to do so. How did that feel?  

I was genuinely happy. The competition was intense. The  “Head-to-Head” challenge, for example, was tough because we had to  speak in English, and many contestants spoke it as their mother tongue.  But I made it to the final 20. I was also placed in the top five in Asia for  the Talent round with my dance performance. Additionally, I was the  runner-up in the Multimedia category — an incredible achievement for  someone from a small country like Sri Lanka. 

QYour speech at the pageant caught a lot of attention. Did you expect that impact? 

Not at all. I was told only the day before that I had  to deliver a speech. I had to write, prepare, and deliver it within a  very short time. But I did my best, and I’m proud of how far it reached. 

QWere you disappointed not to make it to the final 40?  

Honestly, no. Pageants like this involve so many  factors beyond our control — from the judging panel to the host  country’s preferences, and even international politics. I always stayed  realistic about that. I did my best, achieved three records for my  country, and now I’ve raised the bar for those who follow. That, to me,  is success. 

QDid you feel supported by your country throughout this journey? 

 Yes — more than ever before. I’m grateful for the  incredible support from our people, especially without financial  backing. I truly hope future contestants receive this kind of  encouragement too. 

QThrough this platform, you also had a chance to  promote your work with the Saheli Foundation, raising awareness about  menstruation. How did that go? 

Yes, and it was a proud moment. Organisations in India  working on the same cause reached out, expressing interest in  collaborating with us in Sri Lanka. I hope to expand the Saheli  Foundation nationwide and even internationally. 

QYour parents seem to have been your biggest supporters. 

Definitely. I owe everything to them. My parents,  family, and close friends stood by me through difficult times. They were  my strength. 

QYou mentioned that there were tough moments during the competition. What kind of challenges did you face? 

People often assume pageants are all about makeup and  dresses. It’s far from that. Our schedule was packed from 8 a.m. to 8  p.m. on some days. We had to do our own makeup, styling, and everything  else. There was constant pressure, and like anyone else, I faced  criticism and negativity on social media. But I endured it all for my  country. 

QMiss Thailand, your close friend, won the title this year. How do you feel about that?  

I’m genuinely happy for her. She’s a beautiful person  inside and out. I sensed from early on that she might win. She did an  outstanding job, and I wish her the very best on her journey. 

QWill this experience change your future plans? 

Not at all. Many people assume I’ll turn to the cinema, but  I have no interest in that. I plan to continue my education, pursue my  career, and expand Saheli Foundation. I’m also considering a Ph.D.,  possibly working with the United Nations, or joining the Sri Lankan  Foreign Service. 

QThere were rumours of issues with Miss England this year. Did you face any similar problems? 

No, I personally did not experience any problems. The  organisers ensured our safety and well-being 24/7. I felt protected and  supported throughout the event.

QMany young women in Sri Lanka dream of joining beauty pageants. What advice would you give them? 

Pageants are often misunderstood. I can confidently say  Miss World isn’t like that. But it’s essential to be cautious about  which pageants you choose and to build a strong foundation-how you  speak, your education, how you treat others. Dream big, and don’t let  anyone tell you it’s impossible. Work hard and give it your all. If you  do your best, you’ll have no regrets. 

QDid you receive any romantic attention during the pageant?  

No, nothing like that happened. We weren’t even allowed to talk to anyone outside. There was no space for that. 

Q But you do have a boyfriend, don’t you?  

Yes, we’ve been together for about five years now. Since it’s private, it hasn’t caused any problems.