Ven Devapriya Keerthisiri Fernando to be ordained Bishop of Kurunegala

The Ven Devapriya Keerthisiri Fernando will be ordained as the sixth Bishop of Kurunegala on January 6, amidst a distinguished gathering of national and international Bishops, clergy and laity at the Cathedral of Kurunegala.

The Diocesan Council of the Church of Ceylon, Diocese of Kurunegala, elected the Ven. Fernando as the next Bishop of Kurunegala on October 21, this year.

Wannakuwatte Mitiwaduge Devapriya Keerthisiri Fernando was born on May 5, 1961 to David Fernando and Neeta Perera of Moratuwa. He studied at Prince of Wales College, Moratuwa, which gave him a sound educational and spiritual background. He entered the Theological College of Lanka, Pilimatalawa, while he was reading for the Bachelor of Engineering in England in 1985. Later he earned two M. Phil qualifications in Sri Lanka and England while doing his Ph.D.

While he was in England, Ven. Fernando was involved in many youth programmes in Canterbury and conducted surveys on the activities of the migrant population in London. He has authored many educational books.

Young Keerthisiri Fernando was bestowed the opportunity of serving the Lord on May 21, 1989, when he was ordained a Deacon at the Cathedral of Christ the Living Saviour, Colombo. He was ordained to the priesthood on November 30, 1990 and has served in the parishes of Badulla, Matara, Galle and Moratuwa in the Diocese of Colombo and Ratmeewala, Wattegama, Gampola and Getambe in the Diocese of Kurunegala. He has also served in the parishes of the University of Peradeniya and the Teachers’ Training College.

His priesthood has not been confined to the Parish Ministry for he has served for many years in the School of Special Needs, Ratmalana, St. Thomas’ College, Bandarawela, and as Acting Principal of the Theological College of Lanka.

Ven. Fernando was attached to the Department of Christianity of the Education Ministry and was a member of the Advisory Board which compiled textbooks for Christianity. He has also been a Lecturer and Chaplain at Hillwood College, Kandy, the Theological College of Lanka and The Denipitiya Missionary Medical Institute.

On May 1, 2016, Ven. Fernando was ordained the Arch-Deacon of Nuwara Eliya. Hamindra Fernando (Holy Emmanuel Church Moratuwa)