Now

She is Miss Sri Lanka for Miss Universe 2006, but she is more than just a pretty face. Jacqueline Fernandez is a woman with many angles — smart and funny, charming and sophisticated, who has taken Sri Lanka by storm and has now captured the world!

Currently on tour in the Seychelles, and soon off to New York to review various lucrative contracts, Jacqueline took time out to visit The Sunday Leader offices before she left, to speak to Now!

Focused, honest and a visionary.

I’d go out of my way to do something for someone. I’m good at making people laugh and making people happy.

Paris or Africa. They are so vastly different and I’ve heard lots about Africa, it’s an entirely different world out there and it would be a one of a kind experience.

Despite what a lot of people think, Sri Lankans are very open minded and Sri Lanka gave me the opportunity of representing the country in Miss Universe so there are many opportunities here, you just have to grab them.

What is your favourite movie: The Godfather, simply because it teaches you a lot about family, trust and to never make business personal I guess.

  Music: I’m an oldies goldies person. I love classic rock because I think that, back then, bands and artistes felt what they were singing about, where as today they’ve kind of lost the plot.

Band / Singer: I love Alicia Keys, Sade, Norah Jones, The Doors and Pink Floyd.

Book: The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho. It was intriguing, the end of that book was amazing and gave me goose bumps.

I know it sounds cliche, but it’s sad to see what the world has come to today. With war, and the environment, I guess I just wish that everyone could get along. I guess it’s what every one of us wants.

Someone who can give me food and cook me a good vegetarian meal. Hey, I just want to eat!

Always believe in yourself. When such an important task like representing your country is at hand, you’ve got to uphold your country’s name and just give it your best.

I guess it would be "Do you believe that cosmetic surgery is an unfair advantage in a beauty pageant"? Because I think it tells a world of truth about the contestant’s personality.

Jacqueline says that she’ll always be an ambassador for Sri Lanka, wherever she goes. "Sri Lanka will always be my base, I’ve got a lot of humanitarian work here at home that I need to concentrate on and that I have a responsibility towards, but first I have to establish myself and my career so I can come back to Sri Lanka and be what I want to be. I want to bridge the gap between people and countries and be a gateway for Sri Lankan talent to flow into the international arena. I hope I can achieve that, it’s a challenge to put Sri Lanka on the map, but it’s one challenge that I’m looking forward to!"

Jacqueline was recently in L.A where she received an award from the South Asian American Community. High profile personalities at the event included Senator Carey and the contracts on offer while she was in L.A included VH1 and ABC to name a few.

A review & launch

While doing a review on Moragahakumbura’s previous novel, Sepalika Mal, and before doing a review (on yet another occasion) on his latest novel, Chathurikage eththa kathaawa, which is waiting to be read anxiously, not only by me, but many others, I shall also pen a few words about its grand launch at the BMICH last week. The newly launched novel, Chathurikage Eththa Kathaawa is supposed to be written with expectations of giving a brand new experience to its readers. It is also written in simple, general, spoken language, which would further grab the attention of the readers, while having them glued to the book, until they reach its last page.

By Sunalie Ratnayake

Sepalika Mal, Moragahakumbura’s previous novel, is the story of Sepalika Rana-singhe who is a village lass, growing up in the midst of poverty. The plot revolves around a few characters that immensely vary from one another, both in the village as well as the city, as Sepalika revolves between the two extreme contrasts (the village she grew up in and the city, she is alien to).

Sepalika is a strong young woman with great determination and courage, who is willing to face any situation that may arise. Yet she is innocent. But, Sepalika cultivates the habits of being stubborn and tough — these habits are required for survival, especially in the city, where not only strangers, but also those known to her become opportunists.

Sepalika is an only child who grows up in a remote village with her father Gunadasa. Her mother’s death, which occurs during her childhood, remains an unsolved mystery, until her youth. Her mother’s death is a sorrowful incident which occurred in the village, but after her arrival in the city of Colombo, Sepalika faces many more incidents, which certainly remain mysteries unsolved. Sepalika manages to survive through many of the tragedies she faces in the city.

Amongst the others closest to Sepalika in the village are Kalu Nenda, who takes care of Mudalaali who is the father of Sepalika’s first and last true love, Salinda (Punchi Mahaththaya). The other characters recognised in the village are Gunawathie nenda, Wijedasa Mama, Veda Mahaththaya (the physician) and Veronica (Sepalika’s best friend).

Though Sepalika is a shy woman who constantly attempts to ignore Salinda in every possible manner, the love affair between the two blossoms with every passing minute. Especially, when Salinda somehow convinces his girlfriend to taste the flavour of the city, where he is already employed. Yet, he never takes advantage of their moments of being alone, even in the city. This could be the very reason that Sepalika fights hard to protect herself from the vultures in the city, disregarding their threats.

Sepalika arrives by bus, (which is their only mode of transportation) in the city of Colombo, along with Salinda, who finds accommodation for her in a friend’s place. This trusted friend of Salinda named Chinthaka Samaradiwakara serves the Police and Sepalika starts her life in a room in Chinthaka’s house, where his wife Tekla and little daughter live. They also rent other rooms in their house, as means of extra income, but Sepalika is more like a guest for this family who loves her company. But will this trust, love and loyalty last forever? Do people change overnight? Well, anything is possible under the sun and Sepalika Mal proves it to be so.

Sepalika finds employment in an advertising agency of another friend of Salinda named Gayan Rupasiri. Sepalika who is an educated woman, quickly picks up the work at the office. Gayan has a brother who is also a lawyer by profession, who also is involved in the advertising business. Though Gayan is a ‘gentleman,’ Kamal (his brother) is an opportunist and a womaniser. Though Sepalika does not get caught to Kamal’s filthy arms, she becomes a victim, in another way. This is where trouble begins in the city for Sepalika.

Sepalika though a village lass who has experienced the bitter taste of poverty, all her life and not having had previous experiences in the city, is talented in many a way. She has the voice of a nightingale and becomes a popular singer (in the city) by launching her initial audiocassette Gamdorin Kolomthotata, with the utmost help of Salinda as well as music teachers and directors.

Apart from being employed, becoming a singer is another dream of this young woman who manages to realise it. But how long will her achievements last? She also indulges in modeling, also successfully organising fashion shows in the city, by putting all her efforts into these events. Yet, for how long will her efforts be appreciated?

As life goes on in the city, Sepalika learns that the other employees, namely Ananda, Kanchana, Sachithra and Nethranjalee happen to be only back stabbers. They add to the unpleasant incidents faced by Sepalika, due to Kamal Rupasiri’s behaviour. The only two people in the office who remain genuine and helpful towards Sepalika are Gayan (Kamal’s brother) and Mr. Hemachandra.

Though Gayan helps out Sepalika in times of difficulty in every possible manner, he certainly has his limits. He has no access to Sepalika’s emotional grievances. Salinda’s sudden journey abroad for a scholarship happens to make matters worse for Sepalika, who is left alone in the unknown city. Yet, she tries her best to be strong.

Life goes on

One may say that Sepalika lost everything, by trying to fulfill her dreams, but there are many lessons she learned. Yet, she did not lose the love of her life… Salinda. Though disabled, with dashed hopes and dreams, Salinda still had Sepalika… the love of his life.

Sepalika Mal is a story, which could happen to anyone in real life. Nothing in it seems unreal or untrue and it makes me wonder whether Moragahakumbura has written the life story of a Sepalika who actually lives among the rest of us, breathing the same air.

Sugath Shantha Moragahakumbura has over sixteen years experience as an authour and a journalist. Amongst his previous creations are short stories such as Paradige, novels such as Kandulu thotupola, Misi nona, Le kiri suwanda and Sulanga. Being a father himself, Moragahakumbura has also written books of children’s poetry and Ibihaamith udin giyaa is one of his creations dedicated to children.

Moragahakumbura studied at Gemunupura Maha Vidyalaya in the Central Province and began his career in journalism as a provincial reporter for the Lankadeepa newspaper. He has also offered his valuable services to reputed Sinhala newspapers such as Regina, Araliya and Sriyavi. Within a brief span, Moragahakumbura has done wonders in the field of journalism, covering many an aspect. Moragahakumbura continues to stay attached to the newspaper field in Sri Lanka.

Moragahakumbura’s latest novel Chathurikage Eththa Kathaawa was launched last Tuesday (September 19) at the BMICH and distinguished special guests, critics as well as his fans graced the occasion. While actor and photographer Udeni Alwis compered the event, critic and authour K.K. Saman Kumara delivered a special speech, with regards to the newly launched novel at the event of the launch.

The Sunday Leader’s NOW magazine wishes Moragahakumbura success in his newly launched book as well as his career as an authour and journalist. We hope that he continues to write many more books in the future, which would help nourish the mind of the Sri Lankan reader.