Diocese of Batticaloa

Dioecesis Batticaloaensis

Bishop(s)

Vacant
Anton Ranjith Pillainayagam, Apostolic Administrator
Joseph Ponniah, Bishop Emeritus

General Information

Type of Jurisdiction: Diocese
Erected: 3 July 2012
Metropolitan: Archdiocese of Colombo
Rite: Latin (or Roman)
Country: Sri Lanka
Square Kilometers: 7,269 (2,807 Square Miles)
Description: Districts of Batticaloa and Ampara
Mailing Address: Bishop's House, P.O. Box 43, Batticaloa 30000, Sri Lanka
Telephone: (065)2227.642
Fax: 2224.667

Past and Present Ordinaries

Joseph Ponniah (3 Jul 2012 Appointed - 19 Aug 2024 Resigned)

Historical Summary

Date	Event	From	To
3 July 2012	Erected	Diocese of Trincomalee-Batticaloa (Batticaloa and Ampara)	Diocese of Batticaloa (erected)

Year Catholics Total Population Percent Catholic Diocesan Priests Religious Priests Total Priests Catholics Per Priest Permanent Deacons Male Religious Female Religious Parishes Source

2012 55,225 1,199,966 4.6% 35 13 48 1,150 24 73 24 ap2013

2015 42,309 1,196,779 3.5% 34 14 48 881 28 67 25 ap2016

2018 46,138 1,233,038 3.7% 37 19 56 823 35 77 25 ap2019

2020 43,700 1,303,000 3.4% 37 21 58 753 42 73 31 ap2021

2022 44,200 1,318,000 3.4% 37 24 61 724 47 69 32 ap2023

Year	Catholics	Total Population	Percent Catholic	Diocesan Priests	Religious Priests	Total Priests	Catholics Per Priest	Male Religious	Female Religious	Parishes	Source
2012	55,225	1,199,966	4.6%	35	13	48	1,150	24	73	24	ap2013
2015	42,309	1,196,779	3.5%	34	14	48	881	28	67	25	ap2016
2018	46,138	1,233,038	3.7%	37	19	56	823	35	77	25	ap2019
2020	43,700	1,303,000	3.4%	37	21	58	753	42	73	31	ap2021
2022	44,200	1,318,000	3.4%	37	24	61	724	47	69	32	ap2023