SriLankan Airlines has extended meaningful support to Seneesa Goonewardena, an 18-year-old student of St Bridget’s Convent, Colombo, by sponsoring her travel to India for the next phase of Mission ShakthiSAT, an international all-girls satellite collaboration designed to provide young women with practical experience in space science, engineering and innovation.
The sponsorship, reported on 20 and 21 August 2026, will enable Seneesa to participate in the programme at Gautam Buddha University from 22 to 31 August, accompanied by Dr Sulochana Segera, the ShakthiSAT Ambassador for Sri Lanka. The initiative represents a notable intersection between youth education, corporate social responsibility and international scientific cooperation, while placing a talented Sri Lankan schoolgirl at the centre of an ambitious global STEM project.
A competitive selection from more than 200 STEM participants
Seneesa’s participation follows a highly competitive national selection process involving more than 200 Sri Lankan schoolgirls who took part in specialised programmes introducing them to science, technology, engineering and mathematics, with particular attention given to space technology and satellite development.
Her selection as Sri Lanka’s official student representative reflects both individual academic promise and the value of structured opportunities through which young people can engage with advanced scientific fields. Although classroom learning provides the essential theoretical foundation, direct exposure to engineers, researchers, technical workshops and international collaborators can substantially broaden a student’s understanding of what a career in STEM may involve.
For Seneesa, the opportunity is therefore more than an overseas educational visit. It is a practical extension of her learning, placing her in an environment where ideas concerning satellite design, payload development, teamwork and mission planning will be explored through collaborative activity.
The selection is also significant because it demonstrates that Sri Lankan students can compete successfully for places in programmes that bring together participants from numerous countries. Such opportunities can help to challenge the perception that space science and aerospace engineering remain distant or inaccessible areas of study, particularly for schoolgirls who may not yet have encountered visible role models in these fields.
Mission ShakthiSAT creates an international learning platform
Mission ShakthiSAT has been established as an international all-girls satellite mission, with young women from 108 countries expected to collaborate in the design and construction of a satellite. The programme was launched in Sri Lanka by Dr Srimathy Kesan, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Space Kidz India, an organisation known for developing educational initiatives connected with satellite engineering, space science and student innovation.
The collaboration has been structured to combine technical learning with leadership development, cultural exchange and international engagement. At Gautam Buddha University, the participating students are expected to undertake workshops and engineering sessions, examine satellite and payload concepts, interact with scientists and engineers, and work alongside fellow delegates from different educational and cultural backgrounds.
This international structure is instrumental because modern scientific achievement is rarely produced in isolation. Satellite missions require the integration of multiple disciplines, including electronics, mechanical design, software, communications, materials science and project management. Students who encounter these connections at an early stage are better positioned to appreciate the breadth of STEM careers and the importance of disciplined cooperation.
Mission ShakthiSAT also gives participants an opportunity to understand how scientific projects are shaped by communication and shared responsibility. The ability to explain a technical idea clearly, listen to alternative approaches and contribute to a common objective is as important to long-term achievement as proficiency in mathematics or laboratory work.
The programme’s reported schedule includes orientation, international team formation, CubeSat workshops, technical presentations, payload design sessions, engineering model integration, reviews and student assessment. Cultural activities and leadership-focused events have also been included, reflecting an approach that views scientific education as both technical and human.
SriLankan Airlines’ sponsorship strengthens access to opportunity
SriLankan Airlines’ decision to sponsor the travel of Seneesa and Dr Sulochana Segera has helped remove a practical barrier to participation in an international programme of this nature. Travel costs can often prevent capable students from accepting educational opportunities overseas, even when those students have earned places through merit and competitive selection.
As Sri Lanka’s national carrier, the airline has described its involvement as part of its broader commitment to education and youth development. According to the reports, the company has supported schools and learning initiatives over the years, including educational field trips, learning materials, wellbeing programmes and activities intended to develop young people’s interests and skills.
Deepal Perera, Manager of Corporate Communications at SriLankan Airlines, said the airline was proud to support Seneesa and Dr Sulochana Segera, while encouraging students to make the most of opportunities to learn, explore their interests and pursue their ambitions with purpose.
Such sponsorships can generate value beyond the immediate journey. Corporate support for education can assist one student directly while also signalling to families, schools and other organisations that investment in science learning is worthwhile. When a student receives the means to participate in a respected international project, the resulting experience can be shared with classmates and younger students, creating a broader educational effect.
Encouraging more Sri Lankan girls to enter STEM
The participation of Sri Lankan girls in science and technology programmes carries particular importance at a time when the demand for expertise in digital systems, engineering, data, robotics, telecommunications and aerospace continues to expand.
Encouragement must begin early, since confidence in technical subjects is often influenced by access to equipment, mentors, competitions and visible examples of achievement. School-based STEM programmes, university partnerships, science clubs and responsible corporate sponsorship can work together to create a more inclusive pathway from curiosity to professional capability.
Seneesa’s journey may therefore be viewed as an encouraging example for students at St Bridget’s Convent and across Sri Lanka. Her achievement indicates that a schoolgirl with determination and interest in science can progress from a national educational programme to an international satellite mission, provided that suitable platforms and support systems are available.
Dr Sulochana Segera’s role is equally important. As ShakthiSAT Ambassador for Sri Lanka, she provides guidance and representation while helping to connect the local educational effort with the wider international programme. The presence of an experienced ambassador alongside a student representative can help ensure that Seneesa receives both practical assistance and encouragement as she enters a demanding new environment.
The wider objective should be to ensure that this opportunity is not treated as an isolated accomplishment. Sri Lanka possesses a substantial pool of capable students, teachers and technical professionals, and the untapped potential within this community could be advanced through sustained investment in science education, school laboratories, mentorship and international cooperation.
A journey carrying wider significance
Seneesa’s travel to India has been made possible through a partnership that combines student achievement, educational vision and practical assistance. Mission ShakthiSAT offers an international platform on which young women can learn the fundamentals of satellite development while forming professional and cultural connections, and SriLankan Airlines’ sponsorship has helped Sri Lanka’s representative take part in that experience.
The programme at Gautam Buddha University from 22 to 31 August is expected to provide exposure to advanced workshops, engineering activities, leadership sessions and collaborative learning. Its significance will extend beyond the technical construction of a satellite, because every participating student will also be encouraged to imagine a future in which women contribute prominently to space exploration, scientific research and emerging technologies.
For Sri Lankan families in Australia, the United Kingdom, Canada, New Zealand, the United States and elsewhere, Seneesa’s achievement offers a positive example of the ability of Sri Lankan young people to participate in high-level international initiatives. eLanka continues to share such constructive stories through its news and community platform, helping Sri Lankan communities remain connected with educational achievements, cultural developments and inspiring progress around the world.
The Mission ShakthiSAT journey of Seneesa Goonewardena is consequently both a personal milestone and a wider reminder that access, encouragement and perseverance can open the way to remarkable scientific possibilities.
This article was written based on the source https://www.mininewshub.com/en/srilankan-airlines-supports-sri-lankan-student-mission-shakthisat, kindly email us at info@eLanka.com.au if any information needs to be corrected.
At eLanka, we respect the rights of creators. If we have used an image you own and you’d like it removed, please email us at info@elanka.com.au and we’ll handle it promptly.
