Women take skies with SriLankan

FLYING OFFICERS: Two women recently received their wings as junior first officers from the national carrier, SriLankan Airlines, 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.

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

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

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."

"We are hopeful that more women will consider becoming pilots and more parents would better understand the vocation."

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

SriLankan Airlines encourages and supports staff to take on new initiatives and challenge themselves in new roles within the airline.