SriLankan Airlines Makes ShakthiSAT Mission Possible for Seneesa Goonewardena
SriLankan Airlines is making 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 will bring together young girls from 108 countries to collaboratively design and build a satellite for the first time.
Mission ShakthiSAT – Sri Lanka’s Role
- Support from SriLankan Airlines: Sponsoring travel for Seneesa Goonewardena (Sri Lanka’s official student representative) and Dr. Sulochana Segera (ShakthiSAT Ambassador for Sri Lanka) to India.
- Global Project: Young girls from 108 countries will collaboratively design and build a satellite — a first-of-its-kind initiative.
- CSR Focus: Fits into SriLankan Airlines’ long-standing commitment to education, youth empowerment, and rural school support.
Selection & Programme
- National Selection: Over 200 Sri Lankan schoolgirls participated in STEM programmes before Seneesa was chosen.
- Led by: Dr. Srimathy Kesan, CEO of Space Kidz India, known for pioneering educational satellite and rocket programmes.
- Next Phase: 22–31 August 2026 at Gautam Buddha University, India — satellite integration, leadership development, cultural exchange, STEM workshops.
- Launch Window: Targeted between September–October 2026.
Voices of Inspiration
- Airline Statement: Proud to support Sri Lanka’s participation, encouraging students to pursue ambitions with purpose.
- Seneesa Goonewardena: “Being selected… is a dream come true. At 18, this reminds me there are no limits to what young girls can achieve.”
- Dr. Sulochana Segera: “ShakthiSAT is not just a mission, it’s the beginning of a long-term journey… STEM education must be essential for our country.”
Broader Impact
- Strengthens Sri Lanka’s visibility in international space exploration.
- Inspires more girls to pursue STEM and space sciences.
- Reinforces SriLankan Airlines’ role as a national carrier championing education and youth development.
This project is remarkable because it blends space technology, global collaboration, and gender empowerment — a rare combination that could inspire a generation of young scientists across the world.
