Miss Intercontinental 2016 Crown Bagged By Puerto Rico 

Dulux Ambiance Miss Intercontinental 2016, a much celebrated beauty pageant stepped into its 45th year last weekend. The entourage of 60 beauties representing African, Asian, European, South and North American continents walked the ramp with much glamour and confidence. The esteemed panel of judges comprised former and current title holders in the world of beauty pageants, Grammy nominees together with singers, song writers and renowned specialists in the world of beauty and modelling. Amongst them were Apache Indian, Maydelise Columna, Dr. Yasar Sariguel, Valentina Rasulova, Carlos McConnie and Jim Beanz. 

As the event drew closer to its finale, many beauties were sashed with mini pageant titles. The mini title winners are as follows: 

Best National Costume: Thailand 

Miss Best Body: Costa Rica 

Miss Congeniality: Bangladesh 

Miss Photogenic: Puerto Rico 

Biona Miss Beautiful: Venezuela 

Cinnamon Miss Popularity: Myanmar 

Miss Hospitality: Seychelles 

The event was made more beautiful with Kandyan and hip hop dancing acts along with a mind-blowing performance by Apache Indian himself. As the clock ticked away, the spectators were eagerly waiting to see the lucky beauty that would walk away with the crown embedded with 720 sparkling diamonds. 

As it was announced the top five contestants were sashed as follows: 

Fourth Runner up: Amal Karina Nemer (Venezuela) 

Third Runner up: Floriana Russo (Italy) 

Second Runner up: Vera Saphoa (Ghana) 

First Runner up: Tracy Ann De Zilva  (Sri Lanka) 

Winner: Heilymar Rosario (Puerto Rico) 

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In conversation with the Life Online the freshly crowned Miss Intercontinental 2016 Heilymar Rosario shared her thoughts with us: 

How do you feel about this victory? 

I was surprised but I feel I have made my country proud. 

What are your thoughts about Sri Lanka? 

I love Sri Lanka. The people are so humble same like in Puerto Rico. The Sri Lankan culture, the food and the welcome gesture is absolutely fantastic. 

Now that you have won this title what will be your next step? 

The winner will be given an opportunity to spend one year in Germany and I am looking forward to work there with my organization. 

Are you involved in any charity work? 

Back in Puerto Rico I work with different societies which help to uplift the community. 

Sri Lanka is a developing country in Asia. What are your thoughts about having to come here for this pageant? 

This is a big opportunity for Sri Lanka which allowed it to share its valuable culture and lifestyle with the contestants and made us feel at home. 

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Tracy Ann De Zilva, the proud contestant representing Sri Lanka was placed first runner up among 70 other countries. Working as a teacher in a leading international school in Colombo, Tracy is quite passionate about her present career. However, she aspires to be a successful businesswoman in future. Speaking about her victory, Tracy had this to share with us: 

Why did you want to participate in this pageant? 

I felt that this pageant would give me a platform to achieve something that I am unable to achieve. Also I wanted to be an inspiration for the rest of the people to show that Sri Lanka has got what it takes to rise to the top of the world. 

How do you feel about your victory? 

It was amazing. I think I brought glory and honor to my country. To be a winner of an international pageant of this caliber is fantastic. 

What is your next step with this title? 

I would definitely use it to help the people in my country. I am involved with a lot of charities and I will be involved in a lot more to uplift this country. 

What are the charities that you are involved in? 

I am involved in helping out disabled children, children in rural areas of Colombo, elders and also cancer patients as well. 

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Miss Venezuela (4th Runner Up and Winner of Biona Miss Beautiful) 

How do you feel after winning this title? 

I made it to an International pageant and this is important to me. I give thanks to almighty God for this success and will be guided by the almighty in whatever I do in the future. 

What do you have to say about your stay in Sri Lanka? 

This is an amazing Island. Everyone in my country knew Sri Lanka only because of the tsunami. But I am so happy that I have got to know this beautiful country and the wonderful people here. I loved the wild life and seeing all the animals. You have everything you need here. I’ve had the best time of my life in the few days I spent in Sri Lanka. 

What are your plans when you go back to your country? 

I want to be wherever God wants me to be. He gave me this opportunity and I know he has greater plans in store. What I would really like to do is to help the less fortunate people and be the voice of the voiceless. 

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Miss Ghana (2nd Runner Up) 

How do you feel after winning this title? 

I’m really really amazed, surprised, astounded and totally overwhelmed. I’m so much in disbelief now. My emotions are all mixed up because I never expected to be Second Runner Up. I can’t believe it. I hope my parents watched the live broadcast on YouTube. They must be so happy. 

What do you have to say about your stay in Sri Lanka? 

When I heard the name Sri Lanka my expectations were not so good because I did not know about this island in Asia. Now I realise what a beautiful country this is. And the people are so warm and friendly. They are so hospitable to everyone and I really had a great time. I love the fact that you people eat lot of spicy food because in my country also we eat a lot of spice. 

What are your plans when you go back to your country? 

When I go back to Ghana I will go back to school and continue my studies. I’m doing a programme on waste management. 

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Miss Italy (3rd Runner Up) 

How do you feel after winning this title? 

It’s wonderful to be here and be the 3rd Runner Up in the Miss Intercontinental Pageant. I am so happy right now. I want to thank the organizers and everyone who gave us such a great time. I will always cherish these memories. 

What do you have to say about your stay in Sri Lanka? 

Sri Lanka is beautiful and we saw a lot of lovely places. I will definitely come to visit again with my family. The people are friendly and made sure we had a wonderful time. 

What are your plans when you go back to your country? 

I am a model back in my country so I will get back to my modelling career. The exposure I got here will help me a great deal. 

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A few spectators too shared their views with the Life Online: 

I enjoyed the show. It was very well organised. - Annalize 

It was a wonderful pageant. - Dawn 

The show was properly planned. We supported Miss Sri Lanka and I am happy that she got a place. - Gayan 

The setting was brilliant and it was well organised. - Prabath 

I am really proud that Sri Lanka was able to get a place. - Nicole 

The show was a great success. The performance of the foreign artistes were compelling. It was an honour to witness Miss Intercontinental. Congrats Miss Puerto Rico! - Shary 

It was a very well organised event. One of the most glamorous shows I have been to. The compeering was very interactive and the crowd enjoyed. - Ijaaz 

I think Sri Lanka should be extremely proud to host an International Beauty Pageant. I feel very proud to be a Sri Lankan today because it was a fabulous show. - Krishani 

I think the show was very well organisedand everything went really well. All the girls were really lovely. Cinnamon did a great job and I think Stein Studios was the best location for this. - Nishara 

The show was fabulous. I am so happy that Miss Sri Lanka won second place. The swimsuits were amazing on the ramp. My choice for the winner was Miss Venezuela. - Iroshi 

By Kamanthi Wickramasinghe and Niro Waidyaratne 

Photographs by Manoj Ratnayake and Nisal Baduge