New Diocese erected in Sri Lanka

July 03, 2012: Pope Benedict XVI on Tuesday created a new diocese in Eastern Sri Lanka and appointed a bishop to it. The Pope split the Diocese of Trincomalee-Batticaloa into two, creating the new diocese of Batticaloa. At the same time the Pope has also appointed Auxiliary Bishop Joseph Ponniah of Trincomalee-Batticaloa as the first bishop of Batticaloa.

Hence Bishop Joseph Kingsley Swampillai Trincomalee-Batticaloa now becomes the bishop of Trincomale. The new diocese of Batticola comprises the two civil districts of Batticaloa and Ampara and has an area of over 7000 sq kms. Some 48 priests and 84 men and women religious take of over 55,000 Catholics of the diocese’s 24 parishes.

The St. Mary's Church will serve as the Cathedral of Batticoloa diocese.