KUCHCHAVELI PARISH
At the invitation of Rt. Rev. Dr. J. Kingsley Swampillai, Emeritus Bishop of the Trincomalee Diocese, the Colombo Province of the Oblates officially brought their missionary enthusiasm to the newly established Parish of Kuchchaveli in February 2015.
Carved out of the neighboring Nilaveli Parish (which the Oblates had ministered since 1970), the Kuchchaveli Parish encompasses five main centers: Salapayaru, Kuchchaveli, Pudavakattu (Sagarapura), Kallarawa, and Pulmoddai (Veeranthivu). Rev. Fr. Jesu Ramesh Warnakulasuriya, OMI, was appointed as the pioneer Parish Priest.
A Mission to the Margins
The Oblates in Kuchchaveli primarily serve resident and migrant fisher-families, alongside those engaged in local farming. Pastoral life here requires immense resilience. The priests live with minimal comforts in a territory deeply scarred by the ethnic war and the 2004 tsunami, often facing the daily environmental dangers of poisonous snakes and wild elephants. Through it all, they trust in the protection of God and the maternal care of Mary Immaculate.
Fostering Inter-Religious Fellowship
A defining hallmark of the Oblate mission in Kuchchaveli is the active promotion of inter-religious solidarity. Recognizing the need for unity in a diverse region, the Oblates initiated Saturday English classes that successfully brought together children of four major faiths: Christian, Buddhist, Muslim, and Hindu.
This initiative fostered profound fellowship among the youth and adults, breaking down ethnic barriers. One of the most beautiful outcomes of this dialogue of life has been a growing openness among the local Muslim communities, enabling migrant fisher-families to peacefully carry out their livelihoods along the eastern coastal belt.
Youth Formation and Healing
Beyond language education, the parish heavily promotes the Lakrivi Children’s Movement. This movement instills human and spiritual values, leadership qualities, and mutual respect among children of all racial and religious backgrounds. Through these dedicated efforts, the Oblates are helping to heal the lingering anxieties and brokenness within families, including the trauma caused by the tragic Easter Sunday attacks.
The Resilience of Kallarawa
The village of Kallarawa, one of the parish's five centers, holds a profound history of both prosperity and sorrow. In 1949, Catholic families from Bopitiya-Pamunugama migrated here for purse-seine (Madal) fishing, eventually building a vibrant community and a small church dedicated to St. Anthony. By the 1970s, it was the largest purse-seine center north of Trincomalee.
However, the decades-long civil war devastated Kallarawa. Between 1985 and 1995, violence forced the community to abandon everything and become refugees. When peace finally allowed them to return, the 2004 tsunami washed away what little they had rebuilt. In response, the Oblates (led by then-Nilaveli Parish Priest Rev. Fr. G. Gunanayagam, OMI) spared no effort in securing funding to provide new houses, boats, and fishing gear for the survivors.
Shared Leadership for the Future
The parish has been built on the shared leadership and selfless service of its priests. Following Fr. Jesu Ramesh, priests like Fr. Surain Danushka Fernando, OMI (who focused on catechesis) and Fr. Savindhu Senarathne, OMI (who focused on liturgical facilities) poured their hearts into the community.
Today, under the leadership of succeeding parish priests like Rev. Fr. Subash Fernando, OMI, the Colombo Province continues its unbroken commitment to the people of Kuchchaveli. They remain dedicated to uplifting the quality of human and Christian life, knowing that Jesus came to gather into one the scattered children of God.