A Crown for Sri Lanka The Inspiring Journey of Thithulu Handapangoda

Meet Thithulu Handapangoda, the remarkable young lady who recently made history by being crowned Queen World Junior Tourism Ambassador 2025, bringing immense pride to Sri Lanka. More than just a pageant winner, she is a bright student, an artist, and a passionate advocate for her country. We chatted with her about her incredible journey, the challenges she faced, and her aspirations. Prepare to be inspired!

Words - Sachini Perera

Congratulations on this incredible, historic win! It’s truly inspiring. For our readers who are just getting to know you, could you tell us a little bit about yourself and what this achievement means to you personally?

Thank you so much! It’s truly an honour. My name is Thithulu Handapangoda, and I’m 13 years old, a student at Lyceum International School Nugegoda. I absolutely love drama, playing the piano, ballet, dancing – you name it! Winning this crown is more than just a personal achievement for me; I really hope to inspire other young girls like me who have big dreams. I want to show them that with dedication and hard work, anything is possible. Beyond that, I’m passionate about promoting tourism in Sri Lanka and showcasing my beautiful country on the global stage.

At just 13 years old, you’ve achieved something remarkable on an international stage. What kind of preparation went into competing in a pageant of this magnitude, and who were your biggest supporters along the way?

It was intense! From the moment I was crowned World Junior Tourism Ambassador Sri Lanka 2025, we had just three months to prepare for the international pageant. This meant getting our costumes designed, practising my talent, attending countless training sessions, and sorting out all the travel arrangements. My family was an incredible support system throughout this period; they helped me manage everything seamlessly and, most importantly, kept me motivated to bring the crown home. I also received immense support from my national director, Ms. Kanchi Ekanayake, my trainer Ms. Rozanne Diasz, my designers Yulika Udawatte and Mr. Hindol (who prepared my tourism videos), and my ballet instructor, Ms. Kavishka Prematilake. These individuals were my biggest strengths on this journey, and I’m endlessly grateful for their guidance.

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