Department of Political Science

Dr. W.A. Wiswa Warnapala was a distinguished Sri Lankan academic who joined the academic career after completing a B.A. (Hons) in Economics at the University of Ceylon, Peradeniya in 1964, followed by an M.A. from the University of Pittsburgh in 1967 and a Ph.D. from the University of Leeds in 1970. As a Professor and later Head of the Department of Political Science at Peradeniya, he played a central role in developing political science as a discipline in Sri Lanka. His scholarly contributions were extensive, with several books in English and Sinhala, and numerous academic articles on Sri Lankan politics, parliamentary governance, and institutional development. Professor Warnapala was widely respected for his deep understanding of the Westminster parliamentary model, constitutional governance, and comparative political institutions. Later in his life, he entered politics, serving as a National List Member of Parliament from 2004 to 2010, and holding key ministerial portfolios including Minister of Higher Education. Despite his political responsibilities, he remained a committed scholar, continuing to write and publish until the end of his life. Professor Warnapala passed away on 27 February 2016, leaving behind a legacy as a principled intellectual who bridged academia and public service with distinction. His publications include:

• Sri Lanka Freedom Party (2013). Godage International Publishers (Pvt.) Ltd, Colombo.
• Parliament in Sri Lanka: A study of the working of parliamentary institutions in Sri Lanka (2013). S. Godage & Brothers, Colombo.
• Aspects of politics and higher education in Sri Lanka: A collection of essays (2011). Godage International Publishers, Colombo.
• Struggle for socialism: The role of the Communist Party in Sri Lanka (2011). Godage International Publishers, Colombo.
• Higher education policy in Sri Lanka: New perspectives and change (2009). Vijitha Yapa Publications, Colombo.
• Sri Lanka Soviet relations: A study in retrospect (2007).Godage International Publishers, Colombo.
• Parliament and public accountability in Sri Lanka (2004). Godage International Publishers.
• Politics in Sri Lanka: A collection of essays on personalities and issues (2001). S. Godage & Brothers, Colombo.
• Provincial politics in Sri Lanka: An analysis of the Southern Provincial Council election, 1994 (1997). Navrang.
• Ethnic strife and politics in Sri Lanka: An investigation into demands and responses (1994). Navrang.
• Local politics in Sri Lanka: An analysis of the local government election of May 1991(1993). South Asian Publishers Pvt. Limited in collaboration with Windsor Marketing (Pvt.) Limited.
• The Sri Lankan political scene (1993). Navrang.
• Recent politics in Sri Lanka: The presidential election and the referendum of 1982: A study of electoral practice and behaviour in an Asian democracy (1983). Navrang.
• Civil service administration in Ceylon: A study in bureaucratic adaptation (1974). Department of Cultural Affairs.