SRI LANKAN STORYTELLER SHENELLE RODRIGO MAKES HISTORY AS FIRST LOCAL LONELY PLANET CORRESPONDENT

Shenelle Rodrigo has become the first Sri Lankan Destination Correspondent for Lonely Planet, marking a milestone for the nation’s travel industry and creator economy. Known for authentic storytelling through her platform Sheneller, Rodrigo will spotlight Sri Lanka’s hidden histories and cuisines while expanding ventures that strengthen the country’s global narrative.  

In a landmark moment for Sri Lanka’s travel and creative industries, storyteller Shenelle Rodrigo has been appointed as the country’s first Destination Correspondent for Lonely Planet. Joining the founding 2026 global cohort of correspondents, Rodrigo will help redefine how international travellers experience diverse cultures across more than twenty destinations worldwide.  

For over a decade, Rodrigo, alongside her partner Shehaan Thahir, has built Sheneller into a platform that goes beyond the glossy veneer of tourism. Her work has consistently captured the island’s depth and complexity, offering narratives that resonate with authenticity. During crises such as the Easter Sunday attacks and the global pandemic, her real-time updates became a trusted source of truth, credited with safeguarding nearly $800,000 in tourism revenue by countering misinformation and sustaining traveller confidence.  

Her appointment signals a significant shift in global media, where local voices are increasingly prioritised over external perspectives. Rodrigo’s new role will focus on uncovering lesser-known aspects of Sri Lankan history and cuisine, offering immersive insights that bypass traditional gatekeeping. This recognition follows other milestones, including her creator-led travel series being featured on SriLankan Airlines’ official in-flight entertainment systems.  

Looking ahead, Rodrigo is expanding her influence through Sheneller Ventures, which curates journeys, and Holivate, a platform designed to connect hotels with performance-driven content creators. Her journey reflects the rising power of Sri Lanka’s creator economy in shaping national identity and cultural legacy on the global stage.