Colombo Chief Magistrate Asanga S. Bodaragama has acquitted former Mrs. World Caroline Jurie and late model Chula Padmendra in a case stemming from the removal of Pushpika De Silva's crown at the 2021 Mrs. World pageant.
The Colombo Chief Magistrate Asanga S. Bodaragama delivered acquittals on Monday for former Mrs. World Caroline Jurie and model Chula Padmendra, ending legal proceedings connected to an incident at the 2021 Mrs. World pageant. The charges against both defendants alleged they had forcibly removed the crown from Pushpika De Silva, the winner of the Mrs. Sri Lanka 2021 pageant, and caused her injury during the event.
In his ruling, Chief Magistrate Bodaragama determined that the prosecution had not established a sufficient case against either defendant, finding that the charges had not been proven beyond reasonable doubt. The verdict marks the conclusion of a matter that drew public attention following the pageant incident years earlier.
Chula Padmendra, described as a fashion designer and model, was deceased at the time of the verdict. Her legal representative, listed as her surety, appeared in court on her behalf during the proceedings.