Dr. Sulochana Segera and student Seneesa represent SL at historic ShakthiSAT milestone

COLOMBO, AUGUST 30: Sri Lanka has joined a historic global milestone in space education, with Dr. Sulochana Segera, Sri Lankan Ambassador for Mission ShakthiSAT, and young student Seneesa Goonawardena representing the country in a landmark programme that brought together young women from 108 nations.

The achievement was recorded on August 28, 2026, at Gautam Buddha University in India, where Mission ShakthiSAT, organised by Space Kidz India, reached a world-record milestone for the most nationalities represented in a women’s space education programme.

Sri Lanka’s participation was facilitated through the Women in Management Global (WIM Global) initiative, which promotes opportunities for girls and young women through STEM education, science, technology and innovation.

Dr. Sulochana Segera, Founder and Chairperson of WIM Global, participated as the Sri Lankan Ambassador for ShakthiSAT, supporting the mission’s vision of creating greater opportunities for girls to explore space science, technology and innovation.

Representing Sri Lanka’s next generation, Seneesa Goonawardena proudly carried the country’s identity alongside young women from nations across the globe.

The participation of 108 nations represents more than a world-record achievement. It underscores the growing importance of providing girls with meaningful access to STEM education and creating pathways for young women to contribute to the future of science, technology and space exploration.

For Sri Lanka, the milestone marks an important step in connecting its young generation with a global movement that encourages girls to look beyond traditional boundaries and pursue opportunities in fields that will shape the future.

“This is not only about reaching space. It is about giving our girls the opportunity to believe that they belong in the future of science, technology and space exploration.”