Fame Game Featuring Prathibha Liyanaarachchi
By Thasmina Sookoor
As Prathibha Liyanaarachchi represents Sri Lanka at the Miss World stage, she reflects on her journey since winning the Miss World Sri Lanka 2025 crown. In an engaging conversation on Fame Game, hosted by Kumar de Silva and Rozanne Diasz at Cinnamon Lakeside Colombo, she speaks about her preparations, the responsibility of representing her country, her passion for Sri Lankan craft and culture, and the values that continue to guide her.
Q: Prathibha, you won the Miss World Sri Lanka 2025 crown almost a year ago. What has the journey been like since then?
A: The real journey is only beginning. I am very excited about what lies ahead. After I was crowned, I realised how much work I needed to put in before representing Sri Lanka internationally.
There has been extensive preparation, including etiquette training, makeup training and other areas of preparation. Now, I feel that I have reached the stage where I can put everything I have learned into practice and show myself to the world.
Q: How challenging has the preparation been?
A: It has been challenging, particularly because, until April, I was managing two different worlds. I had my corporate job while also preparing for the title, and managing both was difficult because time was a major challenge.
Once I received leave from work, I was able to dedicate those months fully to my preparations and training. That allowed me to focus properly on what I needed to do. I now feel that I am in a good mental space to represent my country.
Q: Have you already connected with some of the other contestants you will meet at Miss World?
A: Yes. We have a group where we keep in touch. We talk about many things, including what we should bring, as well as the different applications and information we receive.
There are many strong personalities among the contestants, and it is interesting to get to know women from different cultures and with different philosophies.
Q: How much have you learned from the Sri Lankan queens who came before you?
A: A lot. I think I am now part of a heritage, and one of the most important things I have learned from the queens who came before me is how to handle pressure.
It is not only about the training you receive. It is also about how you manage stress, how you handle questions and how you conduct yourself when you are representing your country.
When you are at an international pageant, you are not there only as an individual. You are representing Sri Lanka. So, even when you are stressed, nervous or overwhelmed, you cannot allow those feelings to affect how you present yourself.
You have to remain strong and resilient and present yourself in the best possible way because, ultimately, it is about Sri Lanka.
Q: You are also preparing for a special performance. Tell us about it.
A: There are several important areas in which we are judged. Talent is one of them, while the Dances of the World segment is an opportunity to showcase our culture.
In previous years, contestants have tried to learn or imitate small elements of dances from different countries. I worked with Channa Wijewardena on my performance. My talent will be a fusion of singing and dancing.
There is also a head to head round. I am not completely sure yet what form that competition will take, but most probably, it will involve introducing ourselves, explaining what matters to us and speaking about our philosophies and what we stand for.
Q: You previously spoke on Fame Game about your project, Hoop the Label, which aims to promote Sri Lankan craft and culture. What progress has been made?
A: It is something very close to me because I am a designer, and I wanted to bring that part of my life into pageantry.
The purpose of Hoop the Label is to uplift craft and the women behind it. Craft is something that goes hand in hand with women, particularly when we consider the struggles that many of them experience.
I believe craft and creativity can help bring positive change into people's lives. Through creativity, we can help women change their circumstances and move towards a better life. For me, it is about carrying optimism and positivity to them.
Q: How much of Sri Lankan craft and culture are you taking with you through your clothing?
A: A lot. Most of my garments have been thoughtfully designed and include different forms of Sri Lankan craft. I cannot reveal everything yet because I want to keep some of it as a surprise.
I have worked with different craftswomen to create my outfits, and there is a story behind the clothes I will wear. I want people to understand that it is not simply about a motif or a particular look. There has to be depth and purpose behind what I wear.
At the end of the day, it is about Sri Lanka. One of the best ways we can represent ourselves is through our clothing and garments. I want to showcase my culture in every garment that I wear.
I have worked with different craftswomen to bring these outfits to life, as well as with designers who are involved in cultural and traditional crafts. I am grateful to the many designers who have supported me throughout this journey.
Q: Do you think your height is an advantage?
A: It is definitely a plus point because it makes me stand out. However, I do not believe I became Miss World Sri Lanka simply because of my height.
I believe my education, my background and the purpose I brought with me also made me stand out. Those qualities contributed to my becoming the winner.
Nothing about who I presented at the pageant was fake. It came genuinely from within me, and I think that authenticity is what truly highlights me.
Q: How much luggage are you taking?
A: It is a lot. I have more than 70 outfits to prepare, so it is completely different from travelling casually to visit a country. I have to carry everything that I need for the pageant and the different events.
It is not simply a visit. There are many responsibilities attached to the trip, so naturally, there is a lot to prepare and carry.
Q: What role has Miss World Sri Lanka Chief Coordinator Lashni Munasinghe played in your journey?
A: She is our manager and has been a very important part of this journey. She regularly checks on me and makes sure that everything is in order.
She handles my documents and ensures that everything is properly prepared. There are many things that people do not see behind the scenes, and she has been responsible for making sure those things are handled.
She is really the backbone of this entire journey.
Q: You are travelling to Vietnam. Have you researched the country and what you will need to talk about while you are there?
A: Vietnam is a very beautiful country, and I understand that tourism and food are important parts of its appeal. I personally enjoy food, so that is something I am looking forward to.
There is a planned itinerary that will allow us to explore different parts of the country. I believe the opportunity to experience the culture and different places will be exciting.
Q: What do you think will be your biggest challenge during the month long competition?
A: I think the biggest challenge will be maintaining myself and making sure that I look and perform my best every day.
For almost a month, there will be daily makeup, different outfits and many responsibilities. It is not only about looking good. I also have to carry myself properly and remain aware of the responsibility I have.
I know that people are looking up to me and that many Sri Lankans are supporting me. I have to represent all of them. That responsibility is always in my mind.
Q: What role has your team played in getting you ready for the competition?
A: The team has been very important. Sangeetha and I speak quite often, and we have worked on tickets, preparations and documentation.
There are many things that need to be arranged beyond training. I also met Shereen recently, and we discussed the pageant and the preparations required.
There are many people involved behind the scenes, and their support has been important.
Q: The next Miss World Sri Lanka pageant has already begun. Do you think there will be strong competition?
A: Of course. I believe there will be strong competition. I have not yet had the opportunity to meet or closely follow all the applicants because of my own preparations and schedule.
However, I believe there will be healthy competition. That was also the case during our year. Although we were competing for the crown, we remained friends and continued to keep in touch.
Q: You have not faced much criticism on social media so far. If that happens, how will you handle it?
A: If that happens, I would probably call Anudi and ask how she handled it. I remember the pressure she experienced, so I can understand how difficult it can be.
I know criticism is part of being in the public eye, particularly with pageantry. I cannot change that, and I expect that social media will continue to become even more influential.
More people are using social media every year, and more people feel that they know a lot about pageants. I try to look at things optimistically.
Since I am going to represent Sri Lanka, I would like to request everyone to support me while I am there. Whatever criticism people may have, I hope they will support me during the competition because, ultimately, I am going there as a Sri Lankan representing Sri Lanka.
Q: There have been many Sri Lankan beauty queens. What do you believe makes you stand out?
A: I think it is the way I handle things and the way I was brought up. If I talk about my life and the struggles I have experienced, it was not a bed of roses.
The way I treat people is something that makes me stand out. I have always believed that as you grow, you should remain grounded and become more patient.
I have interacted with different communities and people from different social backgrounds since my childhood. Those experiences have shaped me.
Q: At Miss World, you may be asked questions about Sri Lanka and various other issues without much time to prepare. What if you say something politically incorrect or something that you later realise you should not have said?
A: I hope such a situation will not happen. However, if I said something controversial or something that I needed to apologise for, I would definitely apologise.
Being grounded means being authentic and genuine, but it also means being conscious of what you say and understanding the impact your words can have.
My purpose is centred around people and different social communities, so I am conscious about what I speak about. I hope that I will be able to handle such situations responsibly if they arise.
Q: What would you tell the young women who are thinking about applying for Miss World Sri Lanka?
A: If you have the passion, that is the most important thing. You should apply.
What ultimately matters is the passion and commitment you have towards the journey. I went through many challenges myself, but I still applied and eventually became Miss World Sri Lanka.
You do not have to be afraid. You simply have to face the challenges and keep moving forward.
