Mrs World quits title after savage onstage crown attack

Caroline Jurie, 28, who is the current Mrs World, attacked Pushpika De Silva as she was being crowned Mrs Sri Lanka in a pageant ceremony in Colombo earlier this month.

Ms Jurie had herself been crowned Mrs Sri Lanka in 2019 before going onto win the Mrs World title.

Ms Jurie was arrested and released on bail following the bizarre incident, which was aired on Sri Lankan TV and broadcast live on social media.

Mrs World Inc has confirmed on social media Ms Jurie has decided to resign.

“Her voluntary resignation decision was made solely by Caroline herself,” Mrs World Inc said.

The new Mrs World 2020 will be Kate Schneider of Ireland, who was the runner up to Ms Jurie in the contest.

The onstage attack happened moments after Ms De Silva was crowned the 2020/2021 Mrs Sri Lanka.

Footage showed Ms Jurie dramatically pulling the crown from Ms De Silva’s head, claiming the mother-of-one could not be awarded the honour because she was divorced.

“There is a rule that prevents women who have already been married and are divorced, so I am taking steps to make the crown go to second place,” Ms Jurie said after De Silva was named Mrs Sri Lanka.

She then marched over to Ms De Silva to snatch the golden crown, but struggled as it got caught in her hair.

After finally pulling it free, Ms Jurie walked over to the runner-up and placed it on her head, causing Ms De Silva to walk off stage in tears.

Ms De Silva received medical treatment in hospital after the incident.

She has since had the crown returned to her after officials confirmed that while she was separated, she is not a divorcee.

Colombo police said Ms Jurie had been arrested on charges of assault after the onstage attack.

“We have arrested Jurie and (her associate) Chula Manamendra in connection with a charge of assault and causing damage to Nelum Pokuna (theatre),” senior police official Ajith Rohana said.

She has since been released on bail. Ms De Silva filed a complaint against Mrs Jurie.