• Miss World Sri Lanka Anudi Gunasekara on beauty and purpose

Beauty pageants are often perceived as being skin-deep; as glamorous, superficial pomp that celebrates looks and nothing else. However, as with many things in life, things are not always as they appear, and in recent years especially, pageants have increasingly focused on what lies beneath, on the purpose of the contestants, and the impact they can have on the world. 

This focus on impact has not always been a recent response – Miss World, for example, has made its ‘Beauty with a Purpose’ initiative a cornerstone of the pageant since 1972. This initiative requires contestants to develop and execute charitable projects addressing critical issues such as education, healthcare, women’s rights, and environmental sustainability. 

Through these projects, contestants raise funds, create awareness, and drive tangible change in their communities. The programme has raised millions of dollars globally, making it one of the most impactful aspects of Miss World. It reflects the pageant’s mission to empower women to use their platforms for positive social impact, aligning beauty with purpose-driven action.

This week, The Sunday Morning Brunch decided to explore balancing beauty and purpose with reigning Miss World Sri Lanka 2024/’25 Anudi Gunasekara, a passionate advocate for social change, particularly in the fight against period poverty in Sri Lanka, who is preparing in earnest to represent Sri Lanka at the international Miss World 2025 pageant later in the year. 

Anudi hails from Anuradhapura, where she attended Central College, Anuradhapura, and has been a freelance model since 2020. From a young age, she exhibited a keen interest in modelling, often dressing up for photoshoots and experimenting with fashion (her mother is a beautician, which also gave her a lot of exposure to modelling). 

“Modelling was always something I enjoyed,” she recalled. “Even as a child, I loved dressing up and posing for the camera. It was a creative outlet for me.”

However, her path to modelling was not straightforward. After completing her Advanced Levels, Anudi pursued higher education, earning a Second Upper BA (Hons) degree in International Studies from the University of Kelaniya and a Diploma in International Relations from the Bandaranaike Centre for International Studies (BCIS). It was during her university years that she began to take modelling more seriously.

“In 2020, I did a photoshoot that went viral,” she shared. “People around me started encouraging me to pursue modelling professionally. However, I was advised to focus on my studies first. After I got into university, I received professional training from Brian Kerkoven and started freelancing. It was a balancing act, but I enjoyed it.”

Miss World: A lifelong dream

For Anudi, the Miss World pageant has always held a special place in her heart. “Miss World has always been that pageant for me,” she explained. “I remember watching Manushi Chhillar win Miss World in 2017 and that was the moment I knew I wanted to compete. 

“But I was only 17 at the time and you have to be 18 and over to participate. Then came my A/Levels, and later, personal challenges, then Covid-19, which halted the pageant in its usual format for a few years. I thought my dream might never come true.”

However, in 2024, during her final year at university, Anudi saw the Miss World announcement and decided to take a leap of faith. “I realised, ‘Okay, I have to do this’. I applied quickly and I later found out that I was the very first applicant. Winning Miss World Sri Lanka was a surreal moment for me. It felt like all the pieces were finally falling into place.”

As Anudi prepares to represent Sri Lanka at the Miss World 2025 pageant, her schedule is packed with training, planning, and advocacy work. The pageant, expected to take place around April or May this year, will feature several fast-track events, including fitness, talent, as well as presenting work for the ‘Beauty with a Purpose’ initiative.

“Fitness is a big part of the competition,” Anudi explained of how she is preparing for the pageant. “I go to the gym every day to stay in shape. For the talent segment, I will be showcasing my dance skills, which I have been practising since I was in school.”

But the heart of Miss World, according to Anudi, is the ‘Beauty with a Purpose’ project. “This is what sets Miss World apart from other pageants,” she said. “Every contestant has to do a project on a topic they are passionate about – education, women’s rights, the environment. For me, it’s my non-profit initiative Saheli, which combats period poverty in Sri Lanka. I’m constantly thinking of new projects and ways to expand our impact.”

Anudi’s dedication to her cause is evident in her daily routine. “Every day, I try to plan new projects for Saheli and build my social engagement. I also stay updated on global affairs because it is important to be informed and aware.”

Looking ahead, Anudi has big plans for both her personal and professional life. “After Miss World, I want to continue growing Saheli and take it to a global level,” she said. “I also hope to pursue a master’s degree in international relations. Education has always been important to me and I want to keep learning and growing.”

Blending beauty and purpose

While slowly building an impressive freelance modelling career, Anudi also realised that she needed to give back, which led to her founding Saheli – a non-profit dedicated to combating period poverty in Sri Lanka. The idea for Saheli was born during Anudi’s final year at university. 

“My research was on the criminalisation of marital rape in Sri Lanka [currently marital rape is not recognised as a form of rape],” she explained. “As a secondary finding, I discovered how widespread period poverty is in our country.” 

Period poverty is the lack of access to menstrual products, proper sanitation facilities, and education about menstrual hygiene, often due to financial constraints, stigma, or cultural barriers, affecting women and girls globally. 

“Research shows that at least 50% of Sri Lankan women suffer from period poverty,” Anudi stressed. “They lack access to sanitary products, undergarments, and even basic knowledge about menstrual hygiene.”

Saheli, which means ‘female best friend’ in Sinhala, aims to address this issue by providing menstrual products and education to those in need. 

“We have worked with schools, children’s homes, and even prisons,” Anudi said. “One of our most impactful projects was working with prisons in Anuradhapura and Welikada. These are vulnerable communities that often don’t get the visibility or support they need.”

Anudi’s work with Saheli has not been without challenges. “The stigma around menstruation is a big issue,” she noted. “I once did a podcast where I talked openly about periods and I received a lot of hate comments. People said things like, ‘You shouldn’t talk about this in public,’ or ‘Women should be ashamed’. 

“It’s frustrating because periods are a normal biological process. We need to normalise the conversation around it and this is also something Saheli looks to do.”

Despite the challenges, Anudi remains committed to her mission. “My goal is to make Saheli’s initiatives sustainable,” she said. “I want to collaborate with organisations that produce reusable pads and other eco-friendly menstrual products. It’s not just about helping women; it’s also about protecting the environment.”

Anudi’s ultimate goal is to use her platform to create lasting change. “I believe that even small steps can make a big impact,” she said. “No matter how small your initiative is, if you keep at it, it can grow into something incredible. That is what I want to show through my work with Saheli and my journey with Miss World.”

Pageants create role models for young women

While competing in Miss World is the fruition of a lifelong dream for Anudi, it is also a chance for her to be part of a platform that can build positive role models for young women everywhere. The nature of the pageants gives women the power to be a global voice and more than just a pretty face. 

“For me, Miss World is not just about the crown,” Anudi reflected. “It’s about using my platform to uplift others and make a difference. That’s what ‘Beauty with a Purpose’ is all about. Even if I don’t win, I want to leave a legacy of positive change.”

As she prepares to represent Sri Lanka on the international stage, Anudi’s message is clear: “Beauty is not just about how you look; it’s about what you do. It’s about using your voice, your platform, and your passion to make the world a better place.”