She founded the Social Scientists' Association in the 1970s and plays an active role in Sri Lankan civil rights movements.

[7] It is a guide to women's movements in China, Egypt, Iran, India, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, Turkey and Vietnam.

[8] Jayawardena wanted to address the "gap about our part of the world" and felt that in order to "discuss the knowledge and status of women today, it is important to know what they have gained and how.

Jayawardena specifically looks at the work of Annie Besant, Helena Blavatsky, Katherine Mayo, Mirra Richard and Madeleine Slade.

[9] Jayawardena plays an active role in women's research organizations and civil rights movements in Sri Lanka.