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Welcome to the Department of Political Science!

Department of Political Science, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Kelaniya was established in 2017. The Department envisages to create a vibrant learning environment based on a culture of academic, intellectual and social accomplishment wherein all involved shall contribute efficiently and effectively. The Department offered B.A., M.A and MSSc Programs in Political Science. The academic programs incorporated a strong interdisciplinary emphasis in the structure and design of its syllabi. The teaching and research within the Department has been designed in a way that encourages students to explore the interrelationships between ideas, events and institutions and policy making. The department research endeavours are highly interdisciplinary in nature and focus on the most significant theoretical studies in Social Sciences. The major areas of research and supervision of the Department include Political Theory, Political Process in Sri Lanka, Decentralization and Local Governance, Human Rights and International Relations, Constitutional Law and Government, South Asian Politics, Public Administration and Policy.

Vision

"The Department of Political Science strives to be an extremely certificatory, dynamic and productive academic department of scholars. We are dedicated to the formation of intellectually deep, civically-engaged, globally-aware, and ethically-minded students. We accept, in human spirit, the challenge to be distinctive, thoughtful, expert and service-oriented critics of society and agents of modification as they reliably pursue justice and peace in their individual lives, communities and also the world."

Why Study Political Science at the University of Kelaniya?

Studying Political Science at the University of Kelaniya is crucial because it provides the analytical tools to understand how power operates in governments and societies, both locally and globally, equipping students with deep knowledge of political systems, ideologies, and policymaking. This academic environment fosters the development of advanced analytical competencies and methodological sophistication crucial for dissecting the complex interplay between domestic policy-making, socio-political movements, and international dynamics within the region.

Previous Events

Inauguration of the Certificate Course on Participatory Democracy - 2025

The inauguration ceremony of the Certificate Course on Participatory Democracy, offered by the Department of Political Science, University of Kelaniya, in collaboration with AFRIEL Guarantee Ltd., Sri Lanka, was successfully held on 2nd November 2025 at the Auditorium of the Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Kelaniya.

The Seminar for A/L Students at Kuliyapitiya - 2025.

The Student's Association of the Department of Political Science, in collaboration with honors degree students in their third year, organized a seminar for A/L students at Kuliyapitiya on 25th July 2025.

The honors degree students of third year assisted as the resource persons of the program. This programme was held at Mahindodaya Maha Vidyalaya in Hettipola.

Welcome day of 2023/2024 batch Political Science (Honours) Degree Programme 2025

Political Science Student's Association, Department of Political Science, University of Kelaniya hosted the Welcome Programme - 2025 for the special degree honours (2nd year) students on 07th August 2025.

Prof. Malgorzata Porada visited the Department of Political Science 27th March 2025

Prof. Malgorzata met Head of the department and conducted a lecture for the honours degree undergraduates. She visited the Department of Political Science under the Erasmus+ mobility programme.

Annual Field Trip - 2025

Annual field research of the Department of Political Science conducted in Anuradhapura District on 14th and 15th August 2025. The Field Survey is conducted in Villachchiya and Ellayapatuwa areas.

Launching the Prof. Kamal Karunanayake Memorial Gold Medal in Political Science - 2025

This gold medal is awarded in memory of the late Professor Kamal Karunanayake, an eminent scholar in Political Science and Economics in Sri Lanka.

The Department of Political Science commenced the MA/MSSc Program - Batch 25 - on 29th March 2025

The Department of Political Science commenced the MA/ MSSc Programme - Batch 25 - on 29th March 2025.

Special guest lecture by Senior Lecturer Chinthaka Ranasinghe - 2025

The student association of the Department of Political Science organized a guest lecture on 10th September 2025. The Lecture was delivered by Senior Lecturer Chinthaka Ranasinghe of the Department of Sinhala. The staff and the students joined the event.

Special Guest Lecture on " Sri Lanka's Foreign Policy under New Global Trends"

Dr. Dayan Jayathilaka delivered a Lecture on "Sri Lanka's Foreign Policy under New Global Trends". He focused on recent trends in foreign policy in Sri Lanka, and its practical aspect in the present global scenario.

This guest lecture was organized by the Department of Political Science with the cooperation of the Student Association of Political Science.

Appreciation of Service at the Retirement of Mr. Anil Ranathunga (Non-Academic staff member of the Department of Political Science)

A felicitation ceremony was organized by the Department of Political Science to appreciate the 26 years of service, Mr. Anil Ranathunga, a non-academic staff member of the Department of Political Science, on 06.02.2025

The Book Sale from Social Scientists' Association - 2024

The Political Science Students' Association, Department of Political Science, annually organizes a book fair. It was held for the 3rd time in 2024, October in collaboration with the Social Scientists' Association.

Notices & News

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