Paravar is a Tamil maritime community, mainly living in the state of Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and in Sri Lanka. Early Pandyas were believed to be Parathavars, due to several similarities of profile. Historically, they were inhabitants of the Neithal (coastal) lands of Tamil Nadu, and find mention in various ancient Tamil literary works.
The Diocese of Jaffna is a Latin Church ecclesiastical territory or diocese of the Catholic Church in northern Sri Lanka. Latin Catholicism in the diocese's territory dates to the time of Francis Xavier. The current bishop is Justin Gnanapragasam.
The Diocese of Northampton is a Latin Church diocese of the Catholic church in England and Wales and suffragan of Westminster. Its see is in Northampton. The Cathedral of Our Lady Immaculate and St Thomas of Canterbury is the mother church of the Diocese.
The Roman Catholic Metropolitan Archdiocese of Colombo is a Latin metropolitan archdiocese of the Roman Catholic Church, whose ecclesiastical province covers all Sri Lanka plus the Maldives. It depends on the missionary Roman Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples.
The Pesalai church attack occurred on June 17, 2006 when armed gunmen shot at houses as well as Our lady of heart church in Pesalai, a village in Mannar Island, Sri Lanka. Six civilians were killed and at least 47 were injured in the attack. The eyewitness accused the governmental troops for this attack. The Sri Lankan Navy has denied this and has counter accused the rebel LTTE of being the responsible party. The Government of Sri Lanka instituted an investigation into this incident and has identified the responsible party.
Vankalai or Vangalai or Vangkaalai is a predominantly fishing and farming village situated in Mannar District of the Northern Province of Sri Lanka. It lies along the Naanaattan Road with the sea on its west connecting to the Indian Ocean. The shores from Vankalai 20 km south to the ancient Tamil subsidiary port of Kudiramalai formed the world's most famous pearl fishing banks in the classical and medieval periods. Its northern boundary is the historic Hindu shrine of Thiru Ketheeswaram.
The Shrine of Our Lady of Madhu is a Roman Catholic Marian shrine in Mannar district of Sri Lanka. With a history of more than 400 years, the shrine acts as a center of pilgrimage and worship for Sri Lankan Catholics. The site is considered as the holiest Catholic shrine in the island and is a well known place of devotion for both Tamil and Sinhalese Catholics. The church has been a symbol of unity not just between Tamils and Sinhalese but also between people of different religions, including Buddhists, Hindus and Protestants.
The Diocese of Chingleput is a Latin Church ecclesiastical jurisdiction or diocese of the Catholic Church in India. Its episcopal see is Chingleput. The Diocese of Chingleput is a suffragan in the ecclesiastical province of the metropolitan Archdiocese of Madras and Mylapore.
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Tuticorin is a unit of the Catholic Church in the city of Tuticorin, part of the ecclesiastical province of Madurai in India.
The Roman CatholicDiocese of Cochin (Malayalam : കൊച്ചി രൂപത)(Português:Diocese de Cochim)is a Latin Church ecclesiastical jurisdiction or diocese of the Catholic Church in the city of Cochin, India. Established in the year 1557, The Roman catholic Diocese Of Cochin is the second diocese in India after the Arch Diocese Of Goa. It is a suffragan in the ecclesiastical province of the metropolitan Archdiocese of Verapoly. The diocese serves Latin Catholics of Malabar.
Mannar is the main town of Mannar District, Northern Province, Sri Lanka. It is governed by an Urban Council. The town is located on Mannar Island overlooking the Gulf of Mannar and is home to the historic Ketheeswaram temple. In the Tamil language, Mannar means the raised place [of sand] which is thought to have come from the geology of Mannar Island which was formed by the accumulation of sand.
Right Reverend Emmanuel Thomas Savundaranayagam is a Sri Lankan Tamil priest and former Roman Catholic Bishop of Jaffna.
Madhu is a town in Mannar District, Sri Lanka. The prominent church and pilgrimage site, the Shrine of Our Lady of Madhu, is located here. There are also several Hindu temples all throughout the city.
Madhu church shelling or Madhu church massacre is the name for the shelling of the Shrine of Our Lady of Madhu in Sri Lanka during the Sri Lankan civil war on November 20, 1999. The shelling resulted in the deaths of approximately 40 minority Sri Lankan Tamil civilians, including children, and more than 60 non-fatal injuries. The exact cause and nature of the event is disputed between the rebel Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam and the Sri Lankan government. According to Bishop Rayappu Joseph, the attack was carried out by the LTTE. The church is a Roman Catholic Marian shrine in Mannar district of Sri Lanka. With a history of over 400 years, this shrine acts as a center for pilgrimage and worship for Sri Lankan Catholics and others. The site is considered as the holiest Catholic shrine in the island.
Bishop Rayappu Joseph was a Sri Lanka Tamil prelate and the Roman Catholic Bishop of Mannar.
The Diocese of Batticaloa is a Roman Catholic diocese for south-eastern Sri Lanka. The current bishop is Joseph Ponniah.
Right Reverend Dr. Joseph Kingsley Swampillai is a Sri Lankan Tamil priest and former Roman Catholic Bishop of Trincomalee.
Right Reverend Dr. Fidelis Lionel Emmanuel Fernando is a Sri Lankan priest and current Roman Catholic Bishop of Mannar. He is the first Bishop appointed from among the Bharatha community of Sri Lanka.
Sampathawaduge Maxwell Grenville Silva was born on September 27, 1953, in Willorawatte, Moratuwa, Sri Lanka. Presently he is serving as the auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Colombo.
Rev. Father Edwin Savundra was a Sri Lankan Catholic priest known for his contributions. He founded the English Language Campus, a project dedicated to enhancing English education in the remote villages of Vanni and Mannar, Sri Lanka. Beyond his pastoral role, he also expressed his ideas through several authored books, including the philosophy work titled "The Philosophy of Form and the Human Person".
