October 15, 2009: “It was really magic,” said former Miss France, Corinne Coman today in Colombo. “I had heard of Sri Lanka and that it was full of greenery. But when I came here only I really realized how green it was. I love the natural wonders of Sri Lanka and its smiling people,” she said addressing a media gathering at the Colombo Hilton this afternoon.
Ms. Coman, along with over 150 countrymen had arrived in the island about two weeks ago to take part in the Raid Amazon competition from October 4 to 14, where only women take part. She had been enthralled at the sight of so many elephants at such close range, and exclaimed, “It was the first time in my life that I had seen so many wild elephants.” She had spent the time in Sri Lanka with never a dull moment.
Commenting on her experiences in Sri Lanka, she said that last night, she had seen a turtle nesting on the Rekawa beach, laying over a 100 eggs.
Commenting on the Sri Lankan cuisine, Ms. Coman said that she was no stranger to spicy food.
Although many of her fellow countrymen and women had gone back to France after the competition was over, Ms. Coman had chosen to stay back for a few more days, especially to do her bit for the Turtle Conservation Project in Rekawa, Hambantota.
She had made it a point to visit the hatcheries at Kosgoda too to get first hand information on the marine reptiles, of which some species are considered facing extinction.
“In Gaudeloupe, where I was born, we too have the same problems in safeguarding marine turtles,” said Corinne.
Stating that it was the first time she was making an address in English, she said she was impressed with the innovative solutions Sri Lanka had adopted in conserving marine turtles.
Corinne Coman, born on 1 January 1983 in Guadeloupe, became Miss France in 2003 on December 14, 2002 at a competition at the Palais des Sports de Gerland in Lyon. She was then 20 years.
Guadeloupe is an archipelago located in the eastern Caribbean Sea with a land area of 1,628 square kilometres (629 sq. mi). It is an overseas department of France. As with the other overseas departments, Guadeloupe is also one of the twenty-six regions of France (being an overseas region) and an integral part of the Republic. As part of France, Guadeloupe is part of the European Union; hence, as for most EU countries, its currency is the euro. However, Guadeloupe does not fall under the Schengen Agreement.
“Many competitors who arrived for the Raid Amazon competition have gone back as soon as the event was over but a few die-hards have stayed back. And that includes former Miss France Corinne Coman,” said Bernard Goonetilleke, Chairman of the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority.
He said her visit could help promote Sri Lanka in France as a prime tourist destination.
“Miss Coman has found an interesting pastime in the form of looking to the welfare of marine turtles,” said the Sri Lanka tourism chief.
