Colombo Police on Thursday arrested the current “Mrs World” on charges of assault over an on-stage fracas in which she pulled the crown off the head of the new “Mrs Sri Lanka”.
Caroline Jurie snatched the crown off Pushpika de Silva minutes after she was declared “Mrs Sri Lanka 2020” at a Sunday gala at Colombo’s Nelum Pokuna theatre.
Jurie was previous year’s “Mrs Sri Lanka” and had gone on to win the “Mrs World” competition organised by a California-based company.
Pushpika de Silva needed hospital treatment after the incident, seen by stunned spectators in a packed theatre as well as a live social media audience.
“We have arrested Jurie and (her associate) Chula Manamendra in connection with a charge of assault and causing damage to Nelum Pokuna (theatre),” senior police official Ajith Rohana said.
As seen in the video posted on YouTube by Colombo Gazette, Pushpika was announced as the winner as Caroline Jurie crowned her. Seconds later, Caroline appeared on stage again and said that Pushpika was disqualified since she is a divorcee and only married women can hold the title of Mrs Sri Lanka.
“There is a rule that you have to be married and not divorced. So, I am taking my first steps saying that the crown goes to the first runner-up,” Caroline said as she snatched the crown from Pushpika’s head and presented it to the first runner-up.
Pushpika, visibly upset, walked out. The video has gone viral with over 12 lakh views so far.
In a lengthy post on Facebook, Pushpika narrated the incident and said, “I think, for the first time in the history of beauty pageant, not in Sri Lanka but in the world, even though my crown has been snatched in front of everyone insultfully, I will keep my head straight at this moment of writing and say that I am proud and proud as before. This is just another incident for me.”
She also added, “On the other hand, I’m not a divorced woman. I say with great responsibility that I am not a divorced woman even at this moment of writing. If I was a divorcee, I would dare them to submit my divorce scripts.”
Pushpika told reporters outside the Cinnamon Gardens police station in Colombo Thursday that she was ready to drop charges if Jurie made a public apology, but she had refused. “I tried to end this out of court, but she has refused,” Pushpika said. “I can forgive, but not forget.”
There was no immediate comment from Jurie or her lawyer. Police sources said a court hearing was likely next week and Jurie and her associate who crashed onto the stage on Sunday could be granted bail later Thursday.
Jurie had claimed that Pushpika was divorced and therefore ineligible for the prize. To qualify for the title, contestants must be married. Pushpika is estranged from her husband, but they are still legally married.
Organisers said they were claiming compensation from Jurie for damages to the stage and backstage dressing rooms where several mirrors had been smashed. Jurie has also been accused by organisers of bringing disrepute to the event.
With agency inputs