Professor Kamala Liyanage is an esteemed Emeritus Professor of Political Science at the University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka, with a distinguished academic career spanning over four decades. She earned her B.A. (Hons) and M.A. in Political Science from the University of Peradeniya and completed her Ph.D. at Keio University (Japan), where her research focused on the socio-psychological dimensions of ethnic conflict. She also holds a postgraduate diploma in Conflict Resolution from Uppsala University (Sweden).

Professor Liyanage has held numerous academic and leadership roles at the University of Peradeniya, including Head of the Department of Political Science, Acting Dean of the Faculty of Arts, and Founding Coordinator of the Centre for the Study of Human Rights. Her scholarship encompasses gender studies, decentralization, local governance, ethnic politics, and women's political participation, and she has published widely in these fields.

In recognition of her contributions to academic research and international collaboration, she was awarded the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Neck Ribbon by the Government of Japan - one of Japan's highest honors bestowed on foreign nationals - for her efforts in strengthening Sri Lanka-Japan relations and advancing research on Japan.

Professor Liyanage is widely respected for her impact on political science scholarship, gender equity research, and policy discourse in Sri Lanka and internationally.