Glorious Avurudu Unplugged Brings Pageantry and Tradition to Life at The Barnhouse, Panadura

Colombo, Tuesday 28 April 2026: The Havelock City Branch of The Glorious Church marked the Sinhala and Tamil New Year with Glorious Avurudu Unplugged, a contemporary celebration of Avurudu held at The Barnhouse in Panadura. Conceived as a more intimate and reflective take on the season, the event brought together music, fellowship, and cultural expression in a setting that balanced tradition with a modern sensibility.

“For the TGCH family, this event was more than a cultural celebration. It was a reminder of renewal, reconciliation and hope. This season and celebration was a reminder of God who offers new beginnings, calling us to step into the year ahead with gratitude, unity and a renewed heart”, said Pastor Sanjeev Jayaweera who heads the branch.

At the heart of the evening were the Avurudu pageants, choreographed by Rozanne Diasz and assisted by her daughter Raeanne Diasz. The showcase blended movement and storytelling with a strong visual identity, elevated through signature sarong artistry and curated wrap designs by Michael Wijesuriya. The overall production reflected a level of organisation and polish aligned with international pageant standards, with careful attention to flow, staging, and presentation.

The pageants were evaluated by a distinguished panel of judges. Audrey Fernando and Geraldine D’ Rozario, both former Sri Lankan representatives at global pageants, brought an intuitive understanding of poise and stage presence, while Madura Priyadarshana Peiris, a model and international pageant titleholder, added a contemporary lens shaped by global pageant exposure.

A notable highlight was the introduction of the Avurudu Raja and Rajina categories, featuring contestants above the age of 40—an inclusion rarely seen, and potentially a first, within traditional Avurudu pageant formats. The segment added depth to the evening, celebrating confidence, individuality, and enduring elegance.

In the Avurudu Kumari category, Charissa De Silva was crowned winner, with Suheni Chandrasoma and Mystica De Saram named first and second runners-up. Saranath Abishek secured the Avurudu Kumaraya title, followed by Joash Handapandgoda and Devon Fernando.

Jeevani Mendis was crowned Avurudu Rajina, with Dr. Pramila Senanayake and Shyamalee Gamage as runners-up, while Dr. Tivanka Ekaratne won the Avurudu Raja title, alongside Ajith Wijesinghe and Gavin Ryan.