The Colombo police has arrested the current Mrs World Caroline Jurie on charges of assault over an on-stage brawl in which she pulled the crown off the head of the new Mrs Sri Lanka Pushpika de Silva.
In the video that went viral on social media, Jurie could be seen pulling the crown off de Silva minutes after she was declared Mrs Sri Lanka 2020 at a gala at Colombo’s Nelum Pokuna Theatre on Sunday. After the incident, De Silva in a social media post revealed that she needed hospital treatment for injuries sustained.
Jurie was the previous year’s Mrs Sri Lanka and had gone on to win the Mrs World competition.
According to reports, Sri Lankan senior police official Aith Rohan said: “We have arrested Jurie and [her associate] Chula Manamendra in connection with a charge of assault and causing damage to Nelum Pokuna [theatre].”
De Silva told reporters outside the Cinnamon Gardens police station in Colombo on Thursday that she was ready to drop charges if Jurie made a public apology, but she had refused.
“I tried to end this out of court, but she has refused,” de Silva said. “I can forgive, but not forget.”
There was no immediate comment from Jurie or her lawyer.
Police sources told AFP that a court hearing was likely next week and Jurie and her associate, who crashed onto the stage on Sunday, could be granted bail later on Thursday.
Jurie had come onto the stage claiming that de Silva was divorced and therefore not eligible for the prize. To qualify for the title, contestants must be married. De Silva is estranged from her husband, but they are still legally married.
Organisers said they were claiming compensation from Jurie for damages to the stage and backstage dressing rooms where several mirrors had been smashed.
Jurie has also been accused by organisers of bringing disrepute to the event.
The local franchise holder for the pageant, Chandimal Jayasinghe, said they were “deeply disturbed and sincerely regret” Jurie’s behaviour.
