Rishel Perera

Rishel Triyana Perera goes by Rishel Perera on stage, and at 18 she's balancing a business management degree with a growing presence as a website influencer, all from her hometown of Kandana. She has no prior pageant experience, but she's approaching her debut with the same curiosity and drive that's carried her into online content creation while still an undergraduate.

Currently studying business management, Rishel has spent her early adult years building an audience online, learning firsthand what it takes to communicate clearly, stay consistent, and connect with people through a screen, skills that translate more directly to pageantry than people might expect.

Her advocacy is rooted in that same belief in growth: she's passionate about empowering young people through education, self-confidence, and personal development. She wants every young person to know they deserve the chance to discover their own potential, regardless of where they start, and she hopes to be a visible example of continuous learning and quiet self-belief.

"I believe true beauty is reflected through kindness, confidence, and the courage to make a positive difference," she says. "Every challenge is an opportunity to grow, inspire, and become the best version of myself." For a first-time contestant, it's a remarkably clear sense of purpose to walk in with.