Jurie turns juror?

Was social media starving for some juicy news lately? If so, they had plenty of it soon after the Mrs. Sri Lanka Pageant, which was held recently at the Nelum Pokuna Theatre.

This is one of the most glittering events held annually and considered a much-looked-forward-to contest. This year it had been graced by a former First Lady as one of the Chief Guests. 

According to what was reported in social media, after the Chief Guests had left the auditorium, all hell seemed to have broken loose. Video clips started going viral in social media showing the current Mrs. World title holder, Caroline Jurie, going on rampage on the stage, grabbing a microphone and announcing the winner of this year’s title, Pushpika de Silva, was not eligible to the title, alleging the latter was a divorcee.

Not stopping at that, she proceeded to walk up to Pushpika, who she crowned minutes earlier. The audience would have been shocked as they would have never expected to witness the disgraceful act Jurie was to engage in thereafter. With the help of another, Jurie was seen forcibly taking crown away from Pushpika, and announcing that the runner-up was entitled to the crown and placed it on her head.

It is reported that the Jurie was also a member of the Panel of Judges. Didn’t the Panel of Judges know about the marital status of all contestants, including Pushpika? If they found a particular contestant ineligible, why were she allowed to contest? Hasn’t Jurie ever heard the cliché ‘The decision of the judges is final’? Was there no such rule at this contest?

It is a well-known fact that those who win the Mrs. World title are bound by a Code of Conduct until the next contest is held. Those who watched Jurie’s unacceptable conduct cannot be faulted if they ask her whether she was not bound by such a Code of Conduct.

As the current title holder, Jurie was seen acting in a most disrespectful and a high-handed manner, causing irreparable embarrassment to the organisers of Sunday’s event, in addition to damaging the reputation of the country.

If Pushpika resorts to legal action in respect of the agony and defamation of character she experienced in front of a large and a distinguished crowd, Jurie would possibly be in a spot of bother. Furthermore, she makes herself liable to be dealt with appropriately by the world body as well as the local event organisers. 

– Nimal Luxshman