“In a country where heroes are celebrated with fierce pride, Anudi stood tall – not only as a beauty queen but as a symbol of grace”
Pride of the Nation
This journey has always been about more than a crown
Anudi Gunasekara
Anudi Gunasekara won the hearts of an entire nation in the month of May. Though she may not have brought home the Miss World 2025 crown, Miss World Sri Lanka blessed the country with hope, pride and inspiration.
Thanks to her poise, elegance and strong sense of purpose, she captured the admiration of 22 million Sri Lankans and many others beyond our shores.
Her journey united the island in a way only a few moments can. In a country where heroes are celebrated with fierce pride, Anudi stood tall – not only as a beauty queen but as a symbol of grace. And her journey to the world stage was the culmination of years of dedication, patience and resilience.
She carried not only a title but a mission, championing menstrual health and equity. Her story is a testament of perseverance and purpose; it’s a story of a young woman from Anuradhapura who dared to dream beyond boundaries, broke barriers and made her country proud.
Anudi Gunasekara was born in 1999 and grew up in a close-knit family. Her father (a former national athlete turned police officer) and mother (a beautician and one time navy servicewoman) instilled in Anudi and her two siblings the values of discipline, service and determination.
She has said that dressing up and posing for photos has been a form of creative expression since childhood – a passion that enabled her to feel confident and free.
Anudi also credits her late grandmother as a source of strength and wisdom, describing her as a guiding light whose grace left a lasting impact. It was her grandmother’s influence and compassion that inspired Anudi to launch the Saheli initiative.
Education was a priority in the Gunasekara household. Anudi excelled in academics, attending Anuradhapura Central College for her secondary education and later earning a Second Upper BA (Hons) degree in International Relations from the University of Kelaniya. She also completed a diploma at the Bandaranaike Centre for International Studies (BCIS), demonstrating that beauty and brains can go hand in hand.
This strong educational foundation bestowed confidence and a sense of responsibility. She reflects with gratitude that her parents have been her strongest supporters. And she acknowledges that the journey demanded hard work and perseverance, yet it was their unwavering belief in her that helped Anudi navigate challenges and stay grounded through the toughest times.
With her family’s encouragement, she learned that no dream was too big – even a dream as lofty as representing Sri Lanka on a global stage.
– Compiled by Tamara Rebeira
STEPPING INTO PAGEANTS
Anudi’s fascination with pageantry began in her teen years, sparked by an international outlook and inspiration. In 2017, she watched India’s Manushi Chhillar being crowned Miss World and something lit up inside the then 17 year old – she realised that the Miss World platform wasn’t only about beauty and that it could be a voice for change.
From that moment on, Anudi dreamed of wearing the Miss Sri Lanka crown someday. But with the minimum age requirement being 18, she had to put her aspirations on hold.
Soon after, Anudi’s focus shifted to completing her Advanced Level studies, only for the COVID-19 pandemic to disrupt her plans – including the pageant’s usual schedule. Amid the uncertainty, she began to worry that her dream might never come true.
But life has a way of aligning with destiny. In her final year at university, Anudi came across an announcement that applications were open for Miss World Sri Lanka 2024. Without a second thought, she was the first to apply.
Winning the national title had always felt like a distant dream but in that moment, it seemed within reach – as though everything was beginning to align.
Juggling her academic responsibilities with pageant preparations, Anudi threw herself wholeheartedly into the process – from refining her runway walk to sharpening her public speaking skills – determined to give it her all.
“Anudi’s fascination with pageantry began in her teen years, sparked by an international outlook and inspiration”
CROWNING ACHIEVEMENT
In July last year, Anudi’s dedication bore fruit. She was crowned Miss World Sri Lanka 2024, triumphing over contestants from across the island.
That night, as the outgoing queen placed the crown on her, Anudi says she felt a surge of emotion – pride, gratitude and an acute awareness of the responsibility now on her shoulders.
Alongside the main title, she also clinched the Most Popular and Best in Evening Wear awards, a nod to her charisma and grace. But for Anudi, the pageant wasn’t only about the crown or the sash; it was about the purpose it could serve.
During the national competition, she introduced her beauty with a purpose project titled Saheli, aimed at alleviating period poverty in Sri Lanka. This initiative – the heart of Anudi’s mission – set her apart. With the Miss World pageant in sight, she got to work, knowing the coming months would be crucial.
BEAUTY WITH A PURPOSE
Even prior to winning the national title, Anudi was deeply committed to Saheli – her personal project born out of compassion and a strong awareness of a silent yet widespread crisis. She points out that nearly 50 percent of Sri Lankan women face period poverty, lacking access to sanitary products and even basic information about menstrual hygiene.
Staying true to its name – Saheli, meaning ‘female friend’ – the project aims to be a true companion and support system for women and girls in need.
From the outset, Saheli represented a grassroots initiative with a holistic approach to tackling period poverty. Anudi and her team travelled through villages and schools, distributing essential supplies and raising awareness.
She highlights their work in the prisons of Anuradhapura and Welikada as among the project’s most impactful efforts – reaching out to often overlooked and marginalised groups in desperate need of support.
Saheli’s mission grew rapidly, encompassing education, distribution and even policy advocacy. The project began by providing free sanitary napkins and hygiene kits to women and girls, in both rural villages and low-income communities, offering essential support to those who could not afford menstrual products and helping them avoid unhygienic alternatives.
Beyond distribution, Saheli placed a strong emphasis on education and awareness, conducting workshops in schools, shelters and community centres, to teach menstrual health and dispel harmful myths. These efforts helped reduce stigma and encouraged open conversations.
Anudi also advocated for policy change, meeting with Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya to discuss reducing the tax on menstrual hygiene products, which stands at 51 percent.
The impact of Saheli has been nothing short of remarkable: to date, the project has reached nearly 10,000 women and girls across the nation, providing them with essential menstrual products and education.
“Staying true to its name – Saheli, meaning ‘female friend’ – the project aims to be a true companion and support system for women and girls in need”
WORLD STAGE READY
With the Miss World 2025 pageant approaching, Anudi’s life became a whirlwind of preparations. She was determined to showcase not only her personal talents but also the rich culture and resilient spirit of Sri Lanka.
Her days were filled with training sessions – practicing the traditional Kandyan dance she planned for the talent segment, working on her diction and stage presence for the interview rounds, and updating herself on global affairs for the Q&A panels.
As Anudi set off for Hyderabad, messages poured in from Sri Lankans at home and overseas, all rooting for her. She carried with her the hopes of a nation embattled by conflicts and economic hardships; she wanted to showcase that Sri Lanka could shine on the world stage.
And from the moment the Miss World Festival commenced in Hyderabad, Anudi Gunasekara made her presence felt.
Among 108 contestants from around the globe, she exuded a unique blend of grace, intellect and heartfelt advocacy. The pageant events stretched over several weeks – a marathon of challenges and presentations leading up to the grand finale on 31 May.
For Anudi, each segment was an opportunity to tell her story and share her purpose with the world.
MAKING HISTORY
“Anudi had become a triple finalist – in Talent, Multimedia and Head-to-Head challenges – the first Sri Lankan to do so across these three categories”
Anudi shone in the Talent Competition – a trained dancer, she chose to showcase a fusion of traditional Sri Lankan dance and contemporary moves in a performance that was as elegant as it was energetic.
On social media, she shared that dance has been a part of her life since the age of five, describing it as her greatest joy, her form of expression and her safe space.
Dressed in a vibrant costume made by her mother, she spun to rhythmic drumbeats that brought a slice of Sri Lankan culture to the world stage. Anudi’s hard work bore fruit as she earned a spot among the Top 24 finalists in the Talent segment, marking a first for Sri Lanka.
Another hurdle was the Head-to-Head Challenge, where delegates deliver a speech and face questions on a platform broadcast worldwide. When it was Anudi’s turn, she greeted the audience with a verse from the Dhammapada in the ancient Pali language: “Sabba papassa akaranam, kusalassa upasampada, sachiththa pariyoo dhapanan eathan budhdhaana saasanan.” This Buddhist wisdom translates into ‘refrain from all evil and cultivate good, to purify the mind – this is the advice of Buddha.’
It was a profound opening that stamped her cultural heritage and personal philosophy. From thereon, Anudi seamlessly wove her purpose and journey into the speech, recounting the challenges Sri Lanka has weathered in recent years – from economic struggles to social changes – and how they shaped her mission.
She spoke of Saheli and the importance of enabling women to bleed with dignity. Her voice did not waver as she declared on the Miss World stage: “We all bleed; we should bleed with dignity.”
Her performance in the Head-to-Head Challenge led her to advancing to the Final 20 of the competition, outshining dozens of others. This achievement made her the first Sri Lankan to reach the finals of the Head-to-Head segment in Miss World’s 72 year history.
She was also named one of the Top 5 speakers from the Asia and Oceania region – a historic milestone that sent waves of pride through the country.
In what was another fast-track event during the pageant, the Multimedia Challenge evaluated contestants on their ability to shape meaningful narratives through digital platforms. This included showcasing advocacy efforts, creating social impact and offering behind-the-scenes glimpses into their Miss World journeys.
Thanks to the overwhelming support from Sri Lankans, Anudi’s online presence was formidable. She made history yet again – named one of the Top 20 global finalists and clinching the title of First Runner-Up from Asia in the Multimedia category.
By the time the Miss World 2025 finale approached, Anudi Gunasekara had accomplished feats no Sri Lankan beauty queen ever had.
Anudi had become a triple finalist – in Talent, Multimedia and Head-to-Head challenges – the first Sri Lankan to do so across these three categories. Her performances had placed Sri Lanka firmly on the Miss World map.
Taking to her social media platforms, Anudi expressed what had been clear from the very beginning of her journey: “This journey has always been about more than a crown. It was about finding strength, creating sisterhood and building something that lasts far beyond the final walk.”
Indeed, her Miss World journey demonstrated that – a young woman from the outstations had stood toe-to-toe with 108 international peers, not merely showcasing outer beauty but bringing forth purpose.
Much to our surprise and that of the millions who were behind her, Anudi didn’t make the Top 40 Finalists cut on the night of 31 May; and let it be said that questions have been raised – even from beyond our shores – as to why her inspirational run through the early rounds didn’t count for a place to compete on the night.
UNITING A NATION
“Her Miss World chapter may have ended but Anudi’s impact is only just beginning”
Perhaps the most touching aspect of Anudi’s journey was the overwhelming public support and pride it generated in Sri Lanka.
Throughout the Miss World competition, Sri Lankans followed every update with excitement. On social media, her name trended frequently. Supporters on Facebook and Instagram shared video clips of Anudi’s pictures, speeches and dances; and they flooded the comments sections of her online channels with praise and good wishes.
This hype was a reflection of how much hope and joy Anudi had sparked during trying times for the country. She brought hope and a welcome distraction, uniting people in celebration. More importantly, she championed a cause for menstrual equity and expanded the definition of what it means to be a beauty queen in a modern era.
Anudi highlighted that substance and advocacy are as important as grace and beauty. For the young women of Sri Lanka, her story will remain one of inspiration. She proved that one can come from a small town and conquer big dreams.
Her Miss World chapter may have ended but Anudi’s impact is only just beginning.
As her thank you note to Sri Lankans said, she is “excited for what’s to come and ready for the next adventure!”