Salani Seneviratne aims to break barriers
View(s):Over the years, we have heard numerous success stories of Sri Lankans excelling globally through their academic brilliance. Salani Seneviratne is one such inspiring individual, determined to break through adversity and make her country proud on the international stage.
A proud alumna of Girls’ High School, Kandy, Salani has excelled academically from the outset. Beyond her academic achievements, she has also showcased her prowess as a versatile swimmer. Her dedication and commitment were recognised in 2018 when she was selected for the National Swimming Pool.
Salani Seneviratne aims to break barriers
Salani’s journey thus far is a story of perseverance and academic excellence.
After successfully completing her school education, she sat for the SAT examination in 2020, which enabled her to gain admission to the University of Massachusetts Amherst. There, she was awarded the Chancellor’s Award Scholarship and began her undergraduate studies in Mechanical Engineering in 2021.
She became an active member of the university’s Aeronautics Team. During the AIAA Design Competition held in 2022, Salani demonstrated her skills as the design lead, where her team developed a Guide Dog Robot to assist blind and visually impaired individuals – an exemplary innovation with a human-centred approach.
In her commencement address, Salani reflected on the challenges of leaving home and adjusting to life oceans away. She encouraged others from developing nations to take bold steps forward: “When you dare to take the leap, the world opens up for you,” she said.
Salani also proudly embraced her Sri Lankan identity, delivering a powerful message of resilience. “As we say in Sinhala, ‘උත්සාහවන්තයා ජයගනී’ – the one with determination succeeds.”
Her outstanding academic performance earned her Dean’s List honours nearly every semester, while her extracurricular involvement epitomised leadership.
In 2025, Salani reached a historic milestone by becoming the first Sri Lankan student selected as the Student Speaker at the College of Engineering Commencement Ceremony.
Her achievements are a testament to her dedication and sacrifice over the years, serving as a stepping stone for others who aspire to reach similar heights.
With a passion for engineering and motor racing, Salani dreams of becoming the first Sri Lankan woman to shine in Formula 1 – breaking barriers and creating history on the world stage.
At 22, Salani Seneviratne’s story stands as a beacon of hope and inspiration for young Sri Lankans aspiring to make their mark globally—proving that with passion, resilience, and vision, the world is within reach.
HitAd.lk is the best and biggest mobile phone market in Sri Lanka, and we guarantee you will find what you need here from our extensive listing of mobile phones for sale in Sri Lanka. Whether it’s a budget-priced smartphone for communication, or higher end features with advanced connectivity, there are many different options from which to choose from on our site!