Highflying women take to the skies with SriLankan

Mathematics and management may have little to do with the mechanics of a commercial airliner, or does it? Two aspiring young women found out as they challenged the status-quo, to become commercial pilots, according to SriLankan Airlines.

Chamika Rupasinghe and Roshani Jinasena, second and third female pilots of Sri Lanka

While most opt to find employment in their academic background, two women with high academic qualifications backing them, recently received their wings as junior first officers from the national carrier, making them only the second and third female pilots of Sri Lanka. Chamika Rupasinghe’s and Roshani Jinasena’s entry into commercial aviation also signifies SriLankan Airlines’ efforts to attract individuals with high academic qualifications. Ms. Rupasinghe, a Graduate of the University of Sri Jayewardenepura and a final year Chartered Institute of Management (CIMA) student, recalls being laughed at when she was about ten years old, for her ambition to fly.

Ms Rupasinghe joined the SriLankan Airlines’ family back in February 2000 as a stewardess hoping to one day pursue her dream.

Ms. Roshani Jinasena meanwhile, has a BSc Honours in Business Management from the University of Surrey in the United Kingdom.

Getting her private pilot’s licence at 17 while awaiting her Ordinary Level results, Ms. Jinasena said she then knew that flying a commercial airliner was to be her future.

Both women said they had to overcome a number of hurdles, starting at home, in convincing their parents to let them pursue their ambition.

SriLankan Airlines’ Chief Pilot A320 Navin de Silva said, “it is encouraging to note that women with very high academic qualifications are choosing to be pilots when they have a myriad of other, less demanding options.”

A team of 203 local and expatriate pilots currently fly SriLankan Airlines’ all Airbus fleet and are some of the most experienced pilots in the world.