SriLankan Airlines made Mission ShakthiSAT possible for Sri Lanka’s Official student representative, Seneesa Goonewardena, and ShakthiSAT (Devi) Ambassador for Sri Lanka, Dr. Sulochana Segera, by sponsoring their travel to India to participate in the groundbreaking project that brought together young girls from 108 countries to collaboratively design and build a satellite for the first time. Empowering young minds to pursue their dreams has long been at the heart of SriLankan Airlines’ corporate social responsibility efforts. The airline has worked with numerous schools over the years, including many in rural communities, helping foster better learning journeys.
Seneesa Goonewardena was selected following a highly competitive national selection process that engaged more than 200 Sri Lankan schoolgirls in specialized STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) education programs designed to introduce them to space technology. The program was launched in Sri Lanka by Dr. Srimathy Kesan, Founder and CEO, Space Kidz India, who is recognized internationally for leading one of the world’s largest educational satellite and rocket programs. Mission ShakthiSAT united student delegates for satellite integration, leadership, cultural exchange, and STEM programs ahead of its September–October 2026 launch.
Deepal Perera, Manager Corporate Communications, SriLankan Airlines, stated, “We are delighted to support Seneesa Goonewardena and Dr. Sulochana Segera on this remarkable journey and to contribute to Sri Lanka’s participation in Mission ShakthiSAT. We hope Seneesa’s achievement will inspire students across the island to believe that with determination and perseverance, they can achieve their goals. We encourage students to make the most of every opportunity to learn, explore their interests, and pursue their ambitions with purpose. As the national carrier, we are proud to support this pioneering mission and to see a young Sri Lankan take their place on an international platform in space exploration.” Seneesa Goonewardena said, “Being selected to represent Sri Lanka in the ShakthiSAT space journey is a dream come true, and I feel incredibly proud to carry Sri Lanka’s name on this international mission. At 18, this experience reminds me that there are no limits to what young girls can achieve when we dare to dream. “I was also proud to begin this journey by flying with our national carrier, SriLankan Airlines. I hoped my journey would inspire more young Sri Lankan girls to look towards science, technology, and space and believe that they too could reach for the stars.”
Dr. Sulochana Segera added, “I was so happy to bring this opportunity to Sri Lanka and open doors for our girls to dream beyond the skies. ShakthiSAT was not just an event or a mission; it was the beginning of a long-term journey. STEM education should not be an option for our country; it must be an essential part of our education. As the ShakthiSAT Ambassador for Sri Lanka, I felt immense pride knowing that on International Day of the Girl Child, our Sri Lankan flag would be placed on the Moon, following a small step I took just five months ago. And we were equally proud to begin this journey flying with our national carrier, SriLankan Airlines.”
From creating opportunities for children to explore the aviation industry and supporting educational field trips to providing facilities, learning aids, and stationery for children from low-income families, organizing well-being workshops, and supporting the development of sports skills in schools, SriLankan Airlines has always championed education and youth development. Today, the airline is proud to be part of a global project that expands access to STEM education and inspires the next generation, particularly girls, to explore possibilities beyond what they thought possible.
