Reigning Mrs. World 2020 Caroline Jurie and former model Chula Padmendra have been released on police bail after they were arrested by the Cinnamon Gardens police over the on-stage altercation that took place at the Mrs. Sri Lanka pageant on April 04.
Police media spokesman DIG Ajith Rohana said that the Cinnamon Gardens police had arrested Jurie and Padmendra on April 08.
He said that Jurie and Padmendra had been arrested on charges of simple hurt and criminal cause.
The two, who were released on police bail, have been ordered to appear before the Colombo Magistrate's Court on April 19.
The Cinnamon Gardens Police recorded statements from Chandimal Jayasinghe, the organiser of the beauty pageant and Caroline Jurie, following a complaint lodged by the latest winner of the pageant, Pushpika de Silva.
Pushpika de Silva
Meanwhile, the organisers of the Mrs. Sri Lanka pageant said that the governing body of the Mrs. World pageant has also launched an investigation into the incident.
"She (Caroline) has no right to come on stage and grab the mic and declare another as the winner. This is because only the panel of judges and myself have the authority to select the winner. If there is an issue, she has to email Mrs. World Inc., and inform them and resolve it officially in an amicable manner,” National Director of the beauty pageant Chandimal Jayasinghe said.
Chandimal Jayasinghe
In a press release, Mrs. World Inc., said that they sincerely regret the behaviour of the reigning Mrs. World Caroline Jurie.
Furthermore, Mrs. World Inc., has requested Caroline Jurie to issue a personal statement apologising for her conduct.
"Her actions go against the Mrs. Sri Lanka code of conduct and the predetermined regulations she is obliged to follow during her reign," the press release said.
It further said that they will review the incident and take measures, as deemed appropriate, based on the outcome of their assessment.
Mrs. World Inc., also said that if the delegate sent by Mrs. Sri Lanka-World to compete in the international competition is legally married, she will be accepted.
Meanwhile, at a press briefing on April 06, Pushpika de Silva said that she would take legal action for the "unreasonable and insulting" way she was treated.
"There are a lot of single mums like me today who are suffering in Sri Lanka and this crown is dedicated to those women, those single mums who are suffering to raise their kids alone," she said.
The on-stage fracas has now garnered widespread international coverage.
(Excerpts from BBC Sinhala Service)
