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.
Statement from the Social Scientists’ Association on Sri Lanka’s Current Crisis
Sri Lanka is currently experiencing the worst economic crisis in its post-independence history. Foreign reserves of...
The democratic moment today: A call for action and reflection
We are witness today to events that are unprecedented in our postcolonial history. Hundreds of thousands of people are...
The #GotaGoHome Protest Movement: Significance, Potential, and Challenges
Jayadeva Uyangoda
After 31st March, 2022, Sri Lanka’s politics is no longer what it has been. It seems to have entered a qualitatively...
Rethinking Odious Debt
Pierre Pénet
How, to what extent, and under what conditions states should repay their debt are critical questions which resurface...
Sri Lanka’s Economic Crisis: a feminist response to the unfolding humanitarian crisis
Feminist Collective for Economic Justice
A history of failed economic policies and continued mismanagementSri Lanka is currently facing the worst economic...
The Unwomanly Face of the 1971 Revolt
Samal Vimukthi Hemachandra
Sarath Wijesinghe Charithapadanaya saha 71 Tharuna Pibidhime Yatapathkala Ithihasaya (The Biography of Sarath...
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.