Diocese of Ratnapura

Dioecesis Ratnapurensis

Bishop(s)

Peter Antony Wyman Croos, Bishop
Cletus Chandrasiri Perera, O.S.B., Bishop Emeritus

General Information

Type of Jurisdiction: Diocese
Erected: 2 November 1995
Metropolitan: Archdiocese of Colombo
Rite: Latin (or Roman)
Country: Sri Lanka
Square Kilometers: 4,968 (1,918 Square Miles)
Description: Districts of Ratnapura and Kegalle in Sri Lanka, which covers the entire Sabaragamuwa province (South Western Province)
Official Web Site: https://www.dioceseofratnapura.com
Mailing Address: Bishop's House, Madola, Avissawella-10700, Sri Lanka
Telephone: (036)2232.368
Fax: 2232.369

Past and Present Ordinaries

Albert Malcolm Ranjith Patabendige Don (2 Nov 1995 Appointed - 1 Oct 2001 Resigned)
Harold Anthony Perera (29 Jan 2003 Appointed - 15 Feb 2005 Appointed, Bishop of Galle)
Ivan Tilak Jayasundera (20 Jan 2006 Appointed - 6 Jul 2006 Resigned)
Cletus Chandrasiri Perera, O.S.B. (4 May 2007 Appointed - 5 Mar 2024 Retired)
Peter Antony Wyman Croos (5 Mar 2024 Appointed - )

Historical Summary

Date	Event	From	To
2 November 1995	Erected	Diocese of Galle (Sabaragamuwa)	Diocese of Ratnapura (erected)

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

1999 23,428 1,738,960 1.3% 19 6 25 937 8 80 21 ap2000

2000 24,612 1,739,960 1.4% 22 6 28 879 8 80 21 ap2001

2001 25,525 1,766,890 1.4% 21 6 27 945 8 80 21 ap2002

2002 23,352 1,769,265 1.3% 21 7 28 834 8 76 21 ap2003

2003 23,698 1,797,355 1.3% 22 6 28 846 6 71 21 ap2004

2004 23,812 1,797,355 1.3% 22 6 28 850 6 70 20 ap2005

2010 25,712 1,896,941 1.4% 22 9 31 829 9 52 22 ap2011

2014 26,520 2,032,800 1.3% 29 10 39 680 10 64 23 ap2015

2017 18,500 1,968,000 .9% 31 11 42 440 11 65 23 ap2018

2020 19,000 2,033,200 .9% 29 29 655 60 23 ap2021

2022 19,521 2,008,800 1.0% 34 34 574 71 24 ap2023

Year	Catholics	Total Population	Percent Catholic	Diocesan Priests	Religious Priests	Total Priests	Catholics Per Priest	Male Religious	Female Religious	Parishes	Source
1999	23,428	1,738,960	1.3%	19	6	25	937	8	80	21	ap2000
2000	24,612	1,739,960	1.4%	22	6	28	879	8	80	21	ap2001
2001	25,525	1,766,890	1.4%	21	6	27	945	8	80	21	ap2002
2002	23,352	1,769,265	1.3%	21	7	28	834	8	76	21	ap2003
2003	23,698	1,797,355	1.3%	22	6	28	846	6	71	21	ap2004
2004	23,812	1,797,355	1.3%	22	6	28	850	6	70	20	ap2005
2010	25,712	1,896,941	1.4%	22	9	31	829	9	52	22	ap2011
2014	26,520	2,032,800	1.3%	29	10	39	680	10	64	23	ap2015
2017	18,500	1,968,000	.9%	31	11	42	440	11	65	23	ap2018
2020	19,000	2,033,200	.9%	29		29	655		60	23	ap2021
2022	19,521	2,008,800	1.0%	34		34	574		71	24	ap2023