Social Scientists' Association

“Peasant Politics” and the War in Sri Lanka by Benedikt Korf

Agrarian relations can tell us something fundamental about politics. This is what I have learned from the work of James Brow, Mick Moore, Tudor Silva, and Serena Tennekoon. “Peasant politics” is about more than “peasantry”

The Power of the Word: Feminists Rewrite the Story by Ritu Menon

On the 15th of June, 2026, the Social Scientists’ Association hosted a discussion with Ritu Menon, which focused on the progression of South Asian feminist movements, the histories of women-led publishing houses, and the importance of resistance in the current geo-political climate. The discussion also reflected on the new renditions of feminist solidarity and activism that have emerged with the current state of technology.

Matara Maha Keralla– Uprising against the Dutch by Satyajith Andradi

Several months ago, I contributed a piece to these columns on the unspeakable horrors of Dutch slavery in Suriname. As the period of Dutch rule of Sri Lanka (1658 – 1796 ) by and large, fell within that of Dutch rule of Suriname (1669 – 1975)…

Cartographies of Conflict by B. Skanthakumar

Soon after the outbreak of war in Sri Lanka, a borderland wedged between, and connecting the north and east, called Manal Aru by Tamil-speakers and Weli Oya by Sinhala-speakers, became fixed on the mental map of nationalists in both camps.

Cyclone Ditwah Impact, Response and Recovery: Survey Findings of Sri Lankan Public Perceptions

A survey conducted by the Social Scientists’ Association (SSA), Colombo, captured public experiences and perceptions following the impact of Cyclone Ditwah in Sri Lanka. The objective of the study was to examine citizens’ perceptions of institutional responsiveness following Cyclone Ditwah…

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Out Now! Vol. 13 No. 2 (July - December 2025).

148 pages. #SriLanka . Politics. Cyclone Ditwah. Ecology. Feminism. Education. Justice. Domestic Violence Act. History. Culture. Work. Labour. Books. Cover Picture Sakuna Miyasinadha Gamage. LKR1000 from the Social Scientists’ Association or Barefoot or SLBOOKS.lk.

Social Scientists’ Association

The Social Scientists’ Association (SSA) is a pioneering social science research institute in Colombo, striving to be a catalyst for progressive social change through research, publications, and advocacy. Founded in 1977, a period in which Sri Lankan society, economy and politics were undergoing rapid change, the SSA’s mission has been to facilitate critical understanding of that process, its origins, and trajectory. The SSA has been home to many of Sri Lanka’s widely recognised academics and public intellectuals. It is known for themes relating to ethnicity and nationalism, economic liberalisation, agrarian political economy, plantation studies, left history, women’s history, gender relations, feminism, constitutional reform and citizenship, peace and conflict resolution, democracy and political theory, and research methodologies.

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Critical Agrarian Studies