By Nethmie Dehigama
The 2018 Miss Universe Top Five Participant, model, and entrepreneur Wasana Gunasekara is a personality to watch out for. We had the opportunity to chat with this strong lady about her experiences as a model and her other ventures. Get to know Wasana a little bit more here.
Q: Tell us about yourself.
A: I am Wasana Gunasekara, a civil engineering graduate from Swinburne University of Technology, Malaysia, and an MBA graduate from the University of Wales Trinity Saint David, British School of Commerce.
I participated in Miss World Sri Lanka 2017 and Miss Universe Sri Lanka 2018 where I was placed among the top five participants. This is when I entered the fashion industry as a model. In 2019, I was able to represent my lovely motherland, Sri Lanka, at Miss Supranational in Poland. This experience was one of the most rewarding experiences of my life.
Since joining the fashion industry in 2017, I have worked with brands. This has given me the opportunity to get to know a lot of wonderful, kind, and humble personalities such as Brian Kerkoven, Kamil Hewavitharana, Dhananjaya, and Ramani Fernando.
Q: Tell us about your ventures – ‘La Montée’ and ‘Lyken Technologies’.
A: I founded ‘Lyken Technologies’ with my husband, Lilanka Udawatta in early 2017. Lyken is a tech start-up; we specialise in big data analytics, robotic process automation, augmented reality solutions, and mobile app development.
I was determined to start ‘La Montée’ because I was passionate about having a brand of my own to share with the world. ‘La Montée’ is dedicated to celebrating the dreamers, the creators, and those who never stop chasing their dreams.
Q: Have you always wanted to be a model?
A: From a young age, I have always adored fashion and trends. A few years back, my mother showed me a few photographs for which I had posed as a young girl, which were kind of cute and funny. My love for modelling ignited when I was in university. I started modelling in 2017 and I joined BK Model Management Agency in early 2019. Since then, I have worked with the most amazing fashion brands in Sri Lanka.
Q: Was entrepreneurship always in the cards for you?
A: When I was young, starting a business was not on the agenda. When I was older, there was a special lecture I attended at Swinburne University which inspired me to dream big and work towards it. The entrepreneur who gave this lecture at our university inspired a lot of my fellow colleagues to work towards achieving their dreams and goals.
Q: You also work as an associate project manager. How has this experience been for you?
A: Being someone who is very passionate about building local economies, strengthening local businesses, and giving them the opportunity to grow, Bubltown is an ideal workplace that suits me well. I consider Bubltown to be more of a place where I work towards a shared dream to empower local communities and businesses. I’m honoured to be a part of a team who is very supportive and understanding. Most importantly, they encourage me to pursue my talent and skills while balancing my work.
Q: Who are your modelling muses?
A: I would say Gigi Hadid, Gabrielle Caunesil Pozzoli, and Harini Silva.
Q: What are your most memorable experiences as a model?
A: I really enjoy fashion shows since we are able to meet our friends and make new friends and relationships during this time. The most memorable experience would be when I was given the opportunity along with nine other BK Model Management models to travel with Brian Kerkoven to showcase LIMAK by Kamil Hewavitharana at the Expo Dubai Fashion Show in December 2021.
Q: What is the best part about being an entrepreneur?
A: As an engineering graduate from Swinburne University of Technology (Sarawak Campus), we were trained in building and supporting innovation. This was an early inspiration to start a business in a technology that is in the stage of finding itself.
Q: Where do you see yourself in the next five years?
A: I have plans to continue my education and build my career in line with developing technologies. I have always been passionate about teaching mathematics, so hopefully, I would be able to grow my skills and knowledge in this area as well.
Q: What is happiness to you?
A: I believe one’s happiness is determined by one’s thoughts, beliefs, and personality. It is important to always cherish things you have got as of now and to be determined and focus on your future goals. I strongly believe in treating everyone you meet with honour, respect, and loving-kindness. This brings me a calming kind of happiness.
PHOTOS © NUWAN RANAWEERA
Beauty and spark: Meet Wasana Gunasekara
28 Aug 2022
Beauty and spark: Meet Wasana Gunasekara
28 Aug 2022