2 Winners of the Little King and Queen Sri Lanka 2018 Pageant held in April this year represented Sri Lanka abroad at Prince and Princess International in Phuket with some even walking away with titles. 2 more winners will proceed to Greece for Little Ms and Mr United World shortly. We catch up with these tiny Kings and Queens to talk about their experience.

 

 

1st RUNNER UP AT THE PRINCE AND PRINCESS INTERNATIONAL IN THAILAND - KAVEESHA THEBUWANARCHCHI

Kaveesha, 9, is a student of St.Sylvesters College in Kandy and was Mini King at the Little King and Queen Sri Lanka 2018 Pageant. He represented
Sri Lanka at the Prince and Princess International contest in Thailand in July and became the 1st Runner Up in addition to winning Best Costume, Best Portfolio and was placed in the Top 32.  He lists chess and cricket as his favourite hobbies. 

 

1.What got you involved in pageantry? 

-I thought it was something that would be very helpful for my future 

 

2.You competed with 102 other contestants from around the world. How did you stand out?

-I just gave my best and tried to be different from the other contestants. 

 

3.What was the costume that got you the title Best Costume?

-I chose the costume ‘Naga Gurula’ which is the snake mask costume which is used to drive away unlucky and evil spirits. I chose it because I thought the costume was really unique as the head gear had 7 masks and the bottom was a bird.  I loved wearing it and many foreigners admired and wanted to know  the significance.

 

4. Winning 1st Runner Up at such a huge event is a pretty big deal! How do you feel about it? 

-I am really happy to have won that title. I received recognition from my school also for this achievement and I am happy to have come so far, and I am considered a tiny celebrity in Kandy.

 

5. How was your experience in Thailand? 

-It was great! It was pretty busy because we had contests and events every single day over the course of 6 days and we were constantly busy from 7 in the morning till midnight. 

 

6.Who is your role model?

-My father. He has always stayed by my side and has supported me in everything. He really did everything for me to get ready for this contest.  

 

7.If you won a million rupees, what would you do with it? 

-I want to give half to the poor and then use the rest for my education and to buy myself a Lamborghini.

 

JAMILA ESUFALLY

Jamila, 10, is a student of Ladies College and was awarded the title of ‘Little Queen’ at the Little King and Queen Sri Lanka 2018 Pageant. She represented Sri Lanka at the Prince and Princess International contest in Thailand in July and was placed in the Top 20 of the Creative Costume segment.   She describes herself as a ‘bubbly’ personality and states that contemporary and freestyle dance and art are her hobbies.

 

What got you involved in pageantry? 

-I think it’s a launch pad for me to showcase my talent and use it as a platform for me to make my dreams come true. I want to be an architect one day and build homes and schools for the needy and I think this helps me get closer to that dream. 

 

What was the costume that got you into the Top 20 at the pageant in Thailand?

-My costume was a white peacock which was very colourful but at the same time showed elegance and purity. 

 

Any challenges you faced while in Thailand?

-I actually had a bit of trouble with punctuality. Every day was a busy day for us because we had events starting from 7 in the morning till midnight. So I had to wake up really early at around 5 and face a fast moving schedule so that was pretty challenging. 

 

Was it a tough competition? 

-It was. The national events are pretty standard but the international events have a very high standard, and it is a test for mental and physical fitness. One’s winning strategy was how more smart and charming you are than the 102 other contestants.

 

What was your favourite part of the pageant?

-It was making new friends. I really like making friends and sharing my thoughts and feelings and making new friends from different countries was a favourite memory. They also took us on a beach trip to this place called ‘Coconut Island’ and it was so much fun!

 

Who is your role model?

-Miss Subashini because she has such a great personality and she has helped me a lot to build up my total image. 

 

If you won a million rupees, what would you do with it? 

-I would keep half to give to charity and save the rest for the future.

 
ASHLESHA MOHAMMAD 

Ashlesha, 5, is a student of the Royal Institute and is the title holder of ‘Tiny Queen’ at the Little King and Queen 2018 Pageant. She will betravelling to Greece in the next month to represent Sri Lanka at the Little Miss and Mr United World 2018.  Her hobbies include singing, dancing and social projects.

 

What got you involved in pageantry? 

-I wanted to show my talents and improve my skills. 

 

You’ll be going to Greece next month! What are you most excited about?

I’m very happy that I’m travelling to Greece to represent Sri Lanka at the pageant. I’m really excited to present my social project which we are all supposed to do. We have to make a video of our social project and present it at the pageant. My social project was ‘Save the Trees’ so I planted a lot of trees. 

 

Where do you think you will really stand out at the Pageant? 

-I really want the Talent title at the Pageant. I’ll be doing a fusion dance for the show so it would be a fusion of a Peacock dance in the form of traditional dance and ballet. 

 

Who is your role model?

-My father. He wants me to be a star

 

If you won a million rupees, what would you do with it? 

-I want to buy myself a car and lots of fashion clothes  

 

MANISH MACK

Manish, 10, is a student of La Petite Fleur Academy and was awarded the titles of ‘Little King’ and ‘Super Talent’ at the Little King and Queen 2018 Pageant. He will be travelling to Greece in the next month to represent Sri Lanka at the Little Miss and Mr United World 2018.  He loves sports such as soccer and athletics and his hobbies include collecting animal books and playing Lego.

 

 
 

1.What got you involved in pageantry? 

-I wanted to showcase my talent and learn new things. 

 

2.Tell us about your Social Project for the pageant in Greece? 

-I visited a poor kids’ school in Diyathalawa and since the theme for the project is doing good deeds I danced and sang with them and helped them make head crowns and gave cakes and sweets 

3.How are you preparing for the competition in Greece?

-For over 2 months we’ve had weekly sessions with Big Time where we do training and have progress sessions. Each week we are given a deadline to meet so we practice a lot of deportment, interview techniques, self-projection, grooming and etiquette. It is like learning a new subject and preparing for an exam. 

 

4.Who is your role model?

-Miss Subashini, she is strict, she wants us to be achievers in life just like her and always pushes us up the ladder of success.  Also my father as he really motivates me.

 

5.If you won a million rupees, what would you do with it? 

-I want to buy myself a Devil 10 car because it’s so fast!