STAFF MEMBERS
PROF. JAYADEVA UYANGODA
Prof. Jayadeva Uyangoda is an internationally recognized scholar and Professor of Political Science and Public Policy at the University of Colombo. He has been associated with the Social Scientists’ Association for a number of years and currently holds the position of the Treasurer of the Association. Prof. Uyangoda’s publications span a wide range of subjects and he has published a number of books, book chapters and articles in both Sinhala and English on a number of topics ranging from democracy and local governance, political reforms, state reform, social inclusion and exclusion to violence, human rights, ethnic politics and conflict resolution. Prof. Uyangoda has been an important actor in a number of different attempts to resolve Sri Lanka’s ethnic conflict including being a member of the Government’s negotiation team during the 1995 peace talks.
DR. KUMARI JAYAWARDENA
Dr. Kumari Jayawardena is a leading and pioneering feminist scholar. She has made significant contributions to research in the spheres of labour and capital, peasant movements, women’s studies and gender equality, plantation workers, nationalism and ethnic identity. She has published a number of books on these topics, some of which have been translated into Sinhala and Tamil.
DR. PRADEEP PEIRIS
Dr. Pradeep Peiris is a Senior Lecturer attached to the Department of Political Science and Public Policy, University of Colombo, Sri Lanka. Dr. Peiris obtained his PhD in Political Science from the University of Colombo, Sri Lanka and has gained recognition in Sri Lanka and South Asia as a survey researcher. He currently holds the position of Treasurer/ Director at the Social Scientists’ Association, Colombo. He has published and presented papers on a range of subjects ranging from the federal debate in Sri Lanka to the state of democracy in Sri Lanka. His research interests include Conflict Resolution, Gender, Political Parties and Local Government and State Democracy in South Asia.
MR. SHASHIK DHANUSHKA SILVA
Mr. Shashik Dhanushka Silva counts more than 15 years of experience as a survey researcher and a quantitative analyst. He has previously worked at the Applied Research Unit of UNOPS as well as at Social Indicator, the Survey research arm of the Centre for Policy Alternatives (CPA). He obtained his Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Kelaniya and Postgraduate Diploma in Conflict and Peace Studies from the University of Colombo. His research interests are focused on popular understandings of justice and on the issues faced by Upcountry Tamils. He also has a methodological interest in deepening quantitative analysis through the use of qualitative approaches in research.
MR. MARK SCHUBERT
Mr. Mark Schubert obtained his Bachelor of Arts (Honours) Degree in Sociology from the University of Colombo in 2014. He also completed his Bachelor of Laws from the Open University of Sri Lanka in 2018 and took oaths as a lawyer in 2020. He has more than 5 years of experience in engaging in both quantitative and qualitative research. His research interests include Anthropology of Violence and Anthropology of Law.
MS. TANIYA SILVAPULLE
Ms. Taniya Silvapulle is currently reading for her Master’s degree in Sociology at the Department of Sociology, University of Colombo. She obtained her Bachelor of Arts (Honours) Degree in Economics from the University of Colombo in 2020. She has been working as a researcher at the Social Scientists’ Association (SSA) for more than 8 years and has gained diverse and extensive experience engaging in research projects undertaken by the SSA. Her research interests are mainly based on Political Economy.
MS. REBECCA SURENTHIRARAJ
Ms. Rebecca Surenthiraraj graduated from the University of Colombo in 2017 with a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) Degree in English. She has been working with the Social Scientists’ Association as a researcher for over 4 years. Her research interests lie in the articulations of identities, especially within Tamil-speaking communities in Sri Lanka.
MS. KAUSHINI DAMMALAGE
Ms. Kaushini Dammalage received her Bachelor of Arts (Honours) Degree in Political Science and Public Policy from the University of Colombo in 2018. She has been working on research projects undertaken by the Social Scientists’ Association for over 2 years. Her primary research interests are in Gender studies, Democracy and Electoral Politics.
MS. ASHAWARIE KARUNANAYAKE
Ms. Ashawarie Karunanayake obtained her Bachelor of Arts (Honours) Degree in Political Science and Public Policy from the University of Colombo in 2016 and Master of Arts degree in Political Science from the University of Peradeniya in 2019. She has been involved with the Social Scientists’ Association as a field researcher for over 6 years and is a full-time researcher at the organization since 2019. Her research interests are in Gender studies, Human Rights and Multiculturalism in post-war Sri Lanka.
MR. NUWAN WALASMULLAGE
Mr. Nuwan Walasmullage obtained his Bachelor of Arts (Honours) Degree in Political Science and Public Policy from the University of Colombo in 2016. He is currently reading for a Bachelor of Laws Degree from the Open University of Sri Lanka. He has been working as a Field Executive for the Social Scientists’ Association since 2014.
MR. SURESH AMUHENA
Mr. Suresh Amuhena 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 works as a Data Processing Executive and a Video Editor for the Social Scientists’ Association. He has more than 4 years of experience in developing web-based, educational video materials and resources for projects undertaken by the organization. His areas of interest include Online Education Development, Caste and Citizenship.