Shashik Silva

Chief Operating Officer
Shashik Silva has nearly 20 years of experience in both qualitative and quantitative research. He has worked with local civil society organizations and international organizations, providing his expertise in research to support their interventions. He is also a member of the World Association for Public Opinion Research. In addition to his research work, he actively engages in public events that bring together government servants, the general public, students, and youth groups, facilitating knowledge dissemination and dialogue. His academic interests include conflict and peace in Sri Lanka, local governance, youth political participation, and public perceptions of justice.

Dr Crystal Baines

Programme Manager
Crystal Baines manages research, education, and communications programmes at the Social Scientist Scientists’ Association Sri Lanka. She received her MA and PhD in English Literature (Postcolonial Studies concentration) at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst and holds a BA in English from the University of Peradeniya. She has taught English and Comparative Literature at the University of Colombo, University of Peradeniya, and University of Massachusetts Amherst. Her principal research interests include Literary History, Identity Politics, and Political Imaginaries from Religious and Religious Studies perspectives. Her other interests include Digital Humanities and Translation Studies.

Menaka Lecamwasam

Regional Project Administrator

Taniya Silvapulle

Quantitative Research Lead
Taniya Silvapulle has nearly 10 years of diverse experience in both qualitative and quantitative research. She currently leads the quantitative research work at the Social Scientists’ Association. Taniya holds a Master’s degree in Sociology and a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) degree in Economics, both from the University of Colombo. Her primary research interests lie in Political Economy, with a particular focus on heterodox approaches to economics.

Nuwan Walasmullage

Field Manager
Nuwan Walasmullage holds a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Political Science and Public Policy from the University of Colombo and a Bachelor of Laws (Honours) from the Open University of Sri Lanka. Currently serving as the Field Manager and Admin Officer at the Social Scientists’ Association (SSA), he has been with the SSA for over eight years, gaining extensive experience conducting various research projects. His research interests focus on contemporary politics in Sri Lanka, particularly about the country’s constitutional law

Suresh Amuhena

Data Processing & Media Manager
Suresh obtained his Bachelor of Arts Degree from the University of Colombo in 2015. He has completed a Professional Diploma in Object Oriented Programming in Java and Software Application Development from the Java Institute, Sri Lanka. He has more than 6 years of experience in data processing, data analysis, and developing web-based educational video materials and resources for projects undertaken by the organization. His areas of interest include Online Education, Democracy, and Gender.

Kaushini Anuradha Dammalage

Researcher
Kaushini obtained her Bachelor of Arts (Honours) Degree in Political Science and Public Policy from the University of Colombo. Currently, she is pursuing her MPhil at the University of Colombo. As a fellow of the King Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz International Centre for Interreligious and Intercultural Dialogue (KAICIID) International Fellows Programme for 2023, her experience significantly contributes to SSA’s research work. For over six years, Kaushini has contributed to numerous research projects with SSA. Her primary research interests include gender studies, labour, peace, and reconciliation.

Ishan Fernando

Researcher
Ishan holds a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) Degree in Political Science and Public Policy from the University of Colombo in 2020. He is currently reading for his Master’s degree in Political Science at the University of Colombo. He has been working with SSA as a researcher for over 3 years. His research interests span Citizenship, Ethnicity Studies, and Democracy.

Dinusha Lakmali

Finance & Research Assistant
Dinusha Lakmali obtained her Bachelor of Arts (Honours) Degree in Political Science & Public Policy from the University of Colombo in 2023 and is currently reading for a Masters in Development studies at the Faculty of Graduate Studies, University of Colombo. She has a Diploma in Human Resource Management & Career Development from the University of Colombo and has worked as an Intern at the Parliament of Sri Lanka. Her research interests include Gender Politics, Human Rights, Democracy and Development.

Kasun Kavishka

Intern
Kasun is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Laws at University of Colombo. He has been working as an intern with the SSA since 2024 and he is currently involved with the SSA’s Global Forum on Democracy and Development (GFDD) project. He is passionate about learning and exploring fields of transitional justice, Democracy and constitutional law.

Nubendra Liyanage

Intern
Nubendra Liyanage is an intern at the Social Scientists Association, working primarily under the Global Forum on Democracy and Development project. He is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in English, History, and Sociology at the University of Colombo. His academic and research interests include feminist studies, post-colonial and contemporary literatures, and linguistics.

Manupa Perera

Intern
Manupa Perera is a recent school leaver from D.S. Senanayake College, Colombo 7, currently awaiting his Advanced Level results. Since 2025, he has been working as an administration intern at SSA and is actively engaged in the SSA’s GFDD project. He has a strong enthusiasm for international relations, diplomacy, and linguistics, with a particular interest in French.