Study and Learning Centre. (Church of Ceylon, Eastern Deanery - Dioceses of Colombo) in Batticaloa

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  Clarence J Krishan

  :: 14 March 2018 10:08:53

  he Eastern province in SriLanka has been an importantarea due to its geographicallocation. Northern and Southernboundaries of the Easternprovince boarder the Northernand the Sothern provinces of SriLanka. In between the North andthe south this province boardersNorth Central, Central and Uva provinces of Sri Lanka. With thisgeographical location throughoutthe history of Sri Lanka theEastern province has been playinga vital role in all socio-cultural andpolitical activities of this Island inthe Indian Ocean.In the beginning of the 16thcentury the Roman Catholicism was introduced to the Easternprovince and today the RomanCatholicism is well establishedin this area with two Diocesescalled Dioceses of Batticaloa andTrincomalee . Dutch reformedchurch which was introduced inthe 17th century did not spreadwell in this area. In the latterpart of the 18th century through the activities of the British theAnglican church began theirwork in the province and thiswas followed by the introductionof other Christian denominationssuch as Methodist and Salvationarmy from the United Kingdom.Over the years Anglican churchin the Eastern province has been gradually establishing itsinfluence by getting involved inall Religious, socio-cultural andpolitical issues in this provincein Sri Lanka. In this regardduring the past three and a halfdecades the Anglican churchhas been integrally involved inthe positive rebuilding of thearea with the effects of the CivilWar and 2004 massive Tsunamiwhich devastated coastal area ofSri Lanka including the Easternprovince.Today where Anglican church isconcerned this province functionsas a Deanery with an Area Deanin the Archdeaconry of NuwaraEliya belongs to the Diocese ofColombo. Presently this deaneryconsists of 7 parishes with 13places of worship.With the gradual developmentof the Anglican church in thisprovince the necessity of a centreto promote study, learning andtraining including formation withits own cultural realities wasdiscussed at various levels.In 2010 this dream became avisible reality with the gifting ofa 95 perches land with a spacioushouse by Revd. P. Thayalan in loving memory of his belovedfather late Mr. S. Philippiah.With the refurbishing of the centrethrough the financial assistanceof the Bishop of Colombothe Chapter meetings andSunday school teacher trainingprogrammes have been held atthis centre. This centre has been providing accommodation forthe resource persons of variousactivities such as youth work ofthis area.In June 2017 the centre willbe conducting the first trainingprogramme of the respectivecentre to train the laity and the clergy to read and chant the HolyScripture in meaningful andeffective ways to spread the Wordof God the Ultimate reality.The centre has been looking intothe possibilities of organisingprogrammes for children, youngpeople, women and men inconsultation with the Diocesan organizations dealing with theserespective areas.In the future this centre ishoping to function as a place ofpromoting holistic training for thefurtherance of His Kingdom in theEastern province.