Polity aims to advance democratic consciousness, gender equality, state reform, and social change in Sri Lanka, while interested in South Asia and the World.
As its predecessor Pravada (1991-2002), Polity is published by the Social Scientists’ Association in Colombo, with critical content on politics, political economy, history, women, ethnicity, sexualities, religion, labour studies, agrarian relations, nationalisms, violence, ecology, and much more.
Women’s Labour Force Participation: Choice Versus Necessity
Ranmini Vithanagama
The benefits of women’s labour force participation (LFP) have been broadly discussed along two strands. The first is...
Outline of a Redistributive State in the Southern Periphery
Devaka Gunawardena
A clear line against political repression is beginning to emerge within democratic opposition forces in Sri Lanka, or...
Economic Crisis and Resistance in Batticaloa, Eastern Sri Lanka
Thavarasa Anukuvi
IntroductionThe question whether ‘the people’ of the North and East should or could protest in solidarity with the...
Solidarity among Women in Politics in Sri Lanka: Potentials and Challenges
Nadine Vanniasinkam and Viyanga Gunasekera
IntroductionWomen politicians and political aspirants in Sri Lanka share certain patterns of marginalisation within...
‘The Writing Was on The Wall’: Debt Distress and Ways Forward in Sri Lanka
Jayati Ghosh
In the fourth in a series of talks organised by Polity magazine of the Social Scientists’ Association and the Women...
Selvi: Loss, Dissent, and Hope
Sivamohan Sumathy
What can I write about a PEN awardee, a prisoner of conscience, a feminist, human rights activist, co-actor, and...
Current Issue
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 M. Gamage. LKR1000 from the Social Scientists’ Association or Barefoot or SLBOOKS.lk.
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Archive
Pravada (1991-2002) and Polity (2003-) back issues available here.
Social Scientists’ Association
The Social Scientists’ Association (SSA) was founded in 1977, at a turning point in Sri Lankan politics, economy, and society, marked by among other aspects: the ‘open economy’ market reforms; deepening ethnic conflict; and the growing concentration of executive power. Its initiators were academics from public universities, seeking an autonomous space to grapple with these shifts; and to promote progressive political, economic, and social change.