On 06 October 2026, Roman Gautam of Himal Southasian spoke at the SSA, on the diversity and interaction of crises in Nepal, ranging from the disappointments of multi-party democracy, socio-economic problems including youth unemployment and out-migration, and climate disaster to the geopolitics of the region. Gautam explained the double-sidedness of democratic mobilisation and participation in the internet age. The audience discussion probed the outcome of the 2025 uprising, the character of the recently elected government, the fate of transitional justice processes, and much more.

On 30 September 2026, Sankajaya Nanayakkara (Sabaragamuwa University) presented his ethnographic research on the Mahamevnawa movement, outlining recent developments in Buddhism in post-war Sri Lanka by locating them in schisms and trends in the 20th century as well as in transnational context with particular reference to followers in Toronto, Canada. Nanayakkara outlined some features of new Buddhist movements, and tensions with orthodox structures and mainstream practices. The audience discussion included parallels with evangelist traditions in other faiths, resource mobilisation, and as to whether these groups represent a break with ‘political Buddhism’.

Vol. 14 No. 1 (January – June 2026). 134 pages. Gananath Obeyesekere Memorial. NPP and Neutrality. Iran Solidarity. Justice for Easter Sunday. Chemmani. Cyclone Ditwah. Flood Relief. Microfinance Bill. Peasant Politics. Lunar Calendar. Partitions. Women’s Health. Malaiyaha History. Diasporic memory. Mannar’s ecology. Aloysius Peiris SJ. Cover image Ranjini Obeyesekere. LKR1000 from the Social Scientists’ Association or Barefoot or SLBOOKS.lk.