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Back to studies after Miss World
By Marisa de Silva
"It's such an incredible feeling to be here in Sri Lanka and I'm completely overwhelmed…" said nineteen-year-old Miss World 2003, Rosanna Davison on arrival at the Katunayake Airport last Thursday, March 25.

The Irish beauty queen's short stay here from March 25-28, is essentially to inaugurate the Rotary District 3220’s 75th Anniversary project of Empowering Women.

She was also Guest of Honour at the Rotary District Conference on Friday and took part in various fund-raising activities for charity. Gifted with a mobile phone from Mobitel on arrival, she made her first call home to say she'd landed safely. Getting her brother on line she identified herself as 'Rosie' and asked for either one of her parents.

And it was not Miss World talking but a quite down to earth and much loved elder sister. Then enjoying a nice warm cuppa she was ready to share a few moments.

Rosanna, is not the only celebrity in her family. She is the daughter of the famous Chris De Burgh, who sings the all-time classic love song 'Lady in Red'.

Asked whether musical talent runs in the family, she modestly replied, "Not as good as Dad… but my two younger brothers and I are all musically inclined in some way. We are quite a musical family." One of her brothers plays the guitar and the other plays both the recorder and the piano. And does she sing? Yes, but not in public.

Sri Lanka, she had first heard of in her geography class back in school and had never dreamt she would be coming here as Miss World. "I hope I can return here again someday for a longer stay,” she smiled.

Reminiscing about the memorable night in China where she won the coveted title of Miss World, Rosanna said the feeling was unimaginable. "I was floating three feet off the ground, until it finally hit me.The first thing I saw was my family jumping to their feet and punching the air."

"It took quite a while for it to sink in that I was actually Miss World and every time people walked up to me and said 'Hello Miss World', I kept thinking, is it really me they're talking to?" said Rosanna. However, she seems to have got quite accustomed to it now and carries herself with poise and confidence.

Her long flight and lack of sleep didn't seem to have had much effect on her, as her pleasant personality and dazzling smile put everyone at ease. Currently reading for a degree in Sociology, she has completed her first year in University and plans to get back this September to finish off her degree. And in her free time when she isn't fulfilling her duties as Miss World, she says she likes staying home and meeting her friends.

Rosanna was welcomed at the Trans Asia Hotel by the hotel management and a troupe of Kandyan dancers and drummers. Lots of expectant hotel guests too having got wind of her arrival were waiting armed with cameras. And she had a radiant smile for them all.

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