The Launch of  Mam Kese Pawasam

The Bandaranaike Centre for International Studies (BCIS) is pleased to announce the launch of Mam Kese Pawasam – Can You Hear My Cry?), a compelling collection of prison poems authored by Professor Jayadeva Uyangoda, a distinguished political scientist, scholar, and Member of the BCIS Academic Affairs Board.

Written during a defining period of the author’s life, these poems offer a deeply personal reflection on imprisonment, resilience, hope, and the enduring human spirit. Through evocative language and poignant imagery, Mam Kese Pawasam captures the emotional and intellectual experiences shaped by a turbulent chapter in Sri Lanka’s history, inviting readers to engage with themes of memory, suffering, resistance, and humanity.

Professor Uyangoda is widely recognised for his significant contributions to the fields of political science, democracy, conflict studies, and social thought in Sri Lanka and beyond. This publication reveals another dimension of his intellectual journey, presenting a powerful literary voice that complements his longstanding academic legacy.

The launch of this volume celebrates not only the publication of an important work of Sinhala poetry but also the enduring role of literature in preserving personal histories and fostering collective reflection.

Readers, scholars, literary enthusiasts, and members of the public are warmly invited to witness this special occasion and engage with a work that speaks across generations about the strength of the human spirit in times of adversity.