Women Thinkers and Scientists: the Colombo manuscripts

Theme:

Women’s Knowledge and Contributions in Post-Colonial Sri Lanka: 1948 and Beyond

Introduction:

The Colombo Manuscript will focus on the dynamic, complex, and transformative contributions of Sri Lankan women in the post-colonial period. Following independence in 1948, women began navigating new socio-political terrains, engaging in state-building, academic scholarship, science, arts, activism, and professional spheres once dominated by colonial and patriarchal power structures.
This manuscript will explore how women asserted their agency, generated knowledge in various disciplines, and contributed meaningfully to the reconstruction of Sri Lanka’s cultural, scientific, educational, and socio-political landscapes. It will also reflect on landmark events, movements, and personalities that shaped the trajectory of women’s empowerment and intellectual life in the country.

Key Focus Areas:

Women’s participation in post-independence governance and policy
Contributions to medicine, social sciences, and arts in the modern nation-state
Feminist activism, women’s organizations, and academic discourse
Women in mass media, publishing, and contemporary knowledge production
Reflections on intersectionality: class, ethnicity, and gender in knowledge creation

Women Thinkers and Scientists: The Colombo manuscripts

Prof. Dr. Asha Fernando, Editor-in-chief.

Editors

Dr. Dilini Walisundara
Dr. H. P. K. N. Hewawasam
Ms. Buddini Dharmawardhene
P. Gayathri – Assistant Editors