Sri Lanka: Galle Diocese grants a special scholarship program for students

A Catholic diocese in Sri Lanka launched a special scholarship program for students to mark the 150th anniversary of a cathedral.

The Queen of the Holy Rosary Cathedral in the Diocese of Galle on the southwest coast of Sri Lanka held a program to award scholarships to deserving students on April 2. 

Bishop Raymond Wickramasinghe of Galle handed over the scholarships to various categories of students. 

In his talk, he urged the students to continue their educational pursuits with competence, compassion, and commitment. 

A special scholarship program granted by the Archdiocese of Stockholm in Sweden to mark the 150th anniversary of the Queen of the Holy Rosary Cathedral, Galle, was held at the Caritas SED Galle Conference Hall.

Father Damian Arsakularatne, the parish priest of the Cathedral, initiated the project.  

In his address, Arsakularatne urged students to study well and contribute to nation-building through their professions. 

The educational initiative (scholarship program) is a part of the Diocese of Galle’s commitment to the education of people and their development.  

The Society of Jesus built the Cathedral of St. Mary, Queen of the Holy Rosary at the end of the 19th century (1874). Today, the Baroque Revival architecture-style cathedral is a landmark in Galle, Sri Lanka. 

There are 12 Catholic dioceses, including one archdiocese, in Sri Lanka. 

The Catholic Church’s significant contribution to society has been in education, social service, and healthcare in the island nation. 

Sri Lanka is an island nation with 22 million people, most of whom are Buddhist and only about 7% of whom are Catholic.