FACE OF SRI LANKA 2026
Face of Sri Lanka 2026, the country's official national model competition linked to the internationally acclaimed Asia Model Festival, will hold its Grand Finale on the 11th of July 2026 at Trace Expert City. Bringing together Sri Lanka's brightest emerging models alongside leading designers, fashion professionals, brands, photographers, media and creative talent, the event promises to celebrate fashion, creativity, culture and international opportunity.
Over the years, Face of Sri Lanka has established itself as one of the country's leading platforms for aspiring models seeking professional careers and global exposure. As the official gateway to the Asia Model Festival, the competition provides young Sri Lankan talent with the opportunity to compete alongside some of Asia's most promising models while building valuable industry connections and international experience.
Sri Lanka has proudly participated in the Asia Model Festival for more than a decade, consistently showcasing local talent on one of the region's biggest fashion stages. During that time, Sri Lankan representatives have taken part in international competitions, fashion showcases and cultural exchanges, representing the country among contestants from across Asia and beyond.
Face of Sri Lanka was created to discover, nurture and promote the country's most promising modelling talent while preparing contestants for the prestigious Face of Asia competition. Since its inception, the platform has played an important role in developing careers by providing aspiring models with industry knowledge, practical experience and opportunities to gain international recognition.
Today, the competition is recognised for looking beyond physical appearance. Participants are assessed on confidence, professionalism, stage presence, communication skills, cultural representation and their readiness for the international fashion industry. These qualities are increasingly essential as the global modelling industry continues to demand versatility, adaptability and strong personal branding.
Contestants also benefit from experiences that extend well beyond the competition itself. Fashion campaigns, runway shows, media appearances, brand collaborations and networking opportunities with international industry professionals help participants develop valuable skills while building lasting careers in fashion and entertainment.
Sri Lanka's participation at the Asia Model Festival has produced several notable achievements over the years. Among the country's distinguished representatives are Isanka Pramuditha, who won the Face of Asia Male title in 2018, Tasla Senadeera, winner of the Face of South Asia title and a sponsor award, Tracy Anne Mitchelle, a three time sponsor award winner, Diandra Soysa, one of Sri Lanka's leading fashion models, Julia Sonali, Face of Asia Female Winner 2024 and recipient of the Main Sponsor Award, actor and model Udama Aarachchige, and Lehara Edirisinghe, who secured a place among the Top 10 finalists at Face of Asia 2025.
These accomplishments demonstrate the growing recognition of Sri Lankan talent within the international fashion industry and reinforce the country's ability to compete successfully on the global stage. They also highlight the importance of creating platforms that enable local talent to gain exposure beyond national borders.
Leading Face of Sri Lanka 2026 as National Director is Kosh Hewage, a fashion professional with more than 16 years of experience in fashion design, celebrity styling, talent management and international pageantry. Kosh is also the Chief Executive Officer of The Agency Sri Lanka, one of the country's leading talent management companies.
His extensive experience across multiple sectors of fashion and pageantry has contributed to the development of emerging talent both in Sri Lanka and internationally. Kosh currently serves as Deputy Director for Miss Universe Bahrain and Miss Universe Egypt 2025 while also holding National Director positions for Mister Egypt International and Miss Cosmo New Zealand.
Speaking about the competition, Kosh Hewage said, "Face of Sri Lanka is much more than a model competition. It is a national platform designed to prepare Sri Lankan talent for the international industry while showcasing the creativity, confidence and culture of our country. Our mission is to create meaningful opportunities that extend beyond the runway and help our models build successful and sustainable international careers."
The creative direction of Face of Sri Lanka 2026 is led by fashion model Sadani Peiris. Sadani made history as the first Sri Lankan model to walk for celebrated Indian couture designer Manish Malhotra before securing the title of Second Runner Up at Top Model of the World 2023. Widely respected for her professionalism, elegance and versatility, Sadani has become an inspiration for aspiring models while continuing to represent Sri Lanka on both local and international platforms. Her achievements reflect the expanding opportunities now available to Sri Lankan talent within the global fashion industry.
Joining the leadership team as Creative Consultant is Nathasha Fernando, a well-known figure in Sri Lanka's pageantry and digital media landscape. Nathasha first gained national recognition after winning Pulse Miss Earth Sri Lanka 2018 and 2019 before serving as Head of Operations for Miss Earth Sri Lanka in 2020 and 2021. Today she is recognised as a creative strategist, digital content creator and branding consultant whose expertise in storytelling and modern media communications strengthens the competition's creative direction while expanding its reach across digital platforms. A major addition to this year's Grand Finale will be the launch of the Sri Lanka Fashion Model Awards, a new recognition programme created to celebrate excellence and achievement within the country's fashion industry. The awards will honour individuals who have demonstrated exceptional talent, professionalism, creativity and commitment while making significant contributions to the growth of Sri Lanka's fashion sector. By recognising both emerging and established professionals, the initiative aims to encourage excellence throughout the industry. Award categories include Model of the Year Female, Model of the Year Male, Most Popular Model Female, Most Popular Model Male, Best Runway Model Female, Best Runway Model Male, Best Commercial Model Female and Best Commercial Model Male. Two special honours will also be presented. The Iconic Model of the Century Award will recognise an individual whose career has left a lasting legacy on Sri Lankan fashion, while the Director's Choice Award will celebrate exceptional talent or contribution beyond the traditional competition categories.
The introduction of the Sri Lanka Fashion Model Awards adds a significant new dimension to the Face of Sri Lanka platform by celebrating both established industry leaders and the next generation of fashion talent. As Face of Sri Lanka 2026 prepares for its Grand Finale, the competition continues to strengthen Sri Lanka's presence within the wider Asian fashion and modelling industry. By connecting local talent with international opportunity, the platform remains committed to developing future generations of Sri Lankan models while promoting the country's creativity, professionalism and fashion excellence on the world stage. The Grand Finale promises to be more than a competition. It will be a celebration of ambition, talent and opportunity, reflecting the continued evolution of Sri Lanka's fashion industry and its growing reputation for producing models capable of succeeding on the international stage.
