SriLankan Airlines is supporting Sri Lanka’s participation in Mission ShakthiSAT by sponsoring the travel of Sri Lanka’s official student representative, Seneesa Goonewardena, and ShakthiSAT Ambassador for Sri Lanka, Dr. Sulochana Segera, to India.
Mission ShakthiSAT is a groundbreaking international initiative that will bring together young girls from 108 countries to collaboratively design and build a satellite.
Empowering young people to pursue their ambitions has long been a focus of SriLankan Airlines’ corporate social responsibility initiatives. The airline has worked with numerous schools across the country, including those in rural communities, to support learning and development opportunities.
Seneesa Goonewardena was selected following a highly competitive national selection process involving more than 200 Sri Lankan schoolgirls who participated in specialised STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) education programmes designed to introduce them to space technology.
The programme was launched in Sri Lanka by Dr. Srimathy Kesan, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Space Kidz India, who is internationally recognised for leading educational satellite and rocket programmes.
The next phase of Mission ShakthiSAT will be held from August 22 to 31, 2026, at Gautam Buddha University in India. It will bring together student delegates for advanced satellite integration, leadership development, cultural exchange and international STEM programmes, ahead of the satellite’s targeted launch between September and October 2026.
Deepal Perera, Manager Corporate Communications at SriLankan Airlines, said the airline hoped Seneesa’s achievement would inspire students across the country to believe that determination and perseverance can help them achieve their goals.
“We encourage students to make the most of every opportunity to learn, explore their interests and pursue their ambitions with purpose,” he said.
Dr. Sulochana Segera said Mission ShakthiSAT represented the beginning of a long-term journey rather than simply an event or mission.
“STEM education should not be an option for our country; it must be an essential part of our education,” she said.
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