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Full Name Chathurika Fernando
Nick name Chatz
Status Single
Hair Colour Dark brown
Eye Colour Dark Brown
Height 5’7
Bust 34C
Life’s motto You Live, You Learn
Education in brief
AMI Montessori, Bishop’s College, Alethea International, University of Greenwich, London.
Life’s biggest achievements
Winner of TNL Onstage ‘Best Soloist’
Miss Teen Sri Lanka 2005
1st runner up, Miss Sri Lanka for Miss Universe 2006
Graduating from University of Greenwich with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration (Hon) 3rd Runner up for ‘Face of Asia’ 2009 Britain’s competition Founder of Cattleya Leisure 201.
She a beauty, a singer, entrepreneur and a true fashionista – she is Chatz Fernando. Whilst doing justice to the popular term ‘beauty with brains’, Chatz, a graduate from Greenwich University of London, made it as the 1st runner-up at the Miss Sri Lanka 2006 pageant where Sri Lankan Bollywood star Jacqueline Fernandez emerged as the winner.
At present, Chatz is in Sri Lanka running her own leisure company ‘Cattleya Leisure’. She is occasionally roped in for many TV commercials by ad agencies in the island.
At home she’s an akki (big sister) to her brothers, enjoys being the pet of her mum Sharmalie who is the directress of K.S. Hurricane Entertainment (PVT) Ltd and her dad Keerthi Fernando, Managing Director and the famous singer for the rock bands Rattlesnake and VENOM. He is renowned for having won a Golden Clef award for best rock singer during the 90s.
When I see any pic of you on FB or your pics in the magazines, I always find you smiling and cheerful. What’s your secret?
Thank you for your observation. Well I am an incorrigible optimist. No matter what ups and downs I face in life I have the self-confidence and belief in myself that I can overcome any challenge or obstacle. I face anything with a smile on my face. I think those are my ingredients.
You went head on with Jacqueline Fernandez in the 2006 Miss Sri Lanka pageant, what made her the winner and not you?
I must confess I am happy that I got an opportunity to compete. However it is the verdict of the panel of judges, which I respect and accept.
You went head on with Jacqueline Fernandez in the 2006 Miss Sri Lanka pageant, what made her the winner and not you?
I must confess I am happy that I got an opportunity to compete. However it is the verdict of the panel of judges, which I respect and accept.
So is Sri Lanka the land of opportunities for you? Or you think otherwise? What are you missing here?
There is nothing to be missed. Sri Lanka presents unprecedented opportunities for personal and professional advancement. Looking at the macroeconomic picture I see great potential for the country’s tourism industry. If the economic fundamentals are managed properly, if destination marketing is handled correctly, Sri Lanka will be one of the hottest destinations which will attract guests. I am positioning my business to reap the benefits accruing from the above. We belong to a fortunate generation that can look up to a brighter future. Sri Lanka can’t go wrong.
What’s the biggest life opportunity you missed and how did you make up for it?
Participating in the ‘X Factor’ opened a door of dreams for me. In retrospect I was able to participate in two rounds until my dream was abruptly cut short due to my not being a citizen of the United Kingdom. Nevertheless I made up for it by releasing two of my original songs and I continue singing although simultaneously I am pursuing other dreams as a businesswoman.
How qualified do you think you are to run your leisure company?
Well to begin with I have acquired a Business Administration degree from the University of Greenwich in London that has given me the confidence to get into any business. But the brains behind my involvement in the hospitality industry to a large extent has come from my father Keerthi and his brother Asoka Fernando, who was the last chairman to administer the Ceylon’s Hotel Cooperation profitably. They are my Mentors, Guides, Teachers and Advisors. Without their support, guidance and professional advice I would have been lost. On a personal note I wish to add that I am a third generation hospitality practitioner. My late grandfather who was the ex-mayor of Mount Lavinia Mr, Andrew Fernando, was instrumental together with three of his friends, in starting Sri Lanka’s first officially recognised travel agency, namely The Ceylon Travel Service.a
