Becoming Disciples, Making Disciples
The Methodist Church in Sri Lanka is guided by the vision “Becoming Disciples, Making Disciples.” This vision inspires the Church’s ministry and mission through five key areas of focus.
Serving within Sri Lanka’s diverse religious and cultural landscape, the Methodist Church is committed to sharing Christ’s love through worship, service, justice, and compassionate witness. In a nation shaped by multiple faith traditions and a complex history, the Church actively promotes peace, reconciliation, interfaith dialogue, religious freedom, democracy, and human dignity.As a Church that embraces Sinhalese, Tamil, Burgher, and other communities within one body of faith, the Methodist Church in Sri Lanka celebrates diversity as a strength and bears witness to God’s call for unity, hope, and transformation.Type your paragraph here
Five Key Areas of Focus
Nurturing Spiritual Growth
Encouraging deeper faith, discipleship, and active participation in the life of the Church.
Equipping Believers for Service
So that individuals and congregations can share Christ’s love through their words, actions, and daily witness.
Building Bridges of Peace and Understanding
Fostering reconciliation, social harmony, and meaningful relationships within communities.
Strengthening Mission and Governance
Through effective leadership, collaboration, and structures that support the Church’s calling.
Stewarding God’s Resources Responsibly
Promoting sustainability, accountability, and the wise use of people, finances, and assets entrusted to the Church.
President’s Message
Dear Friends in Christ,
It is with gratitude and joy that I welcome you to the official website of the Methodist Church in Sri Lanka.
As followers of Jesus Christ, we are called to be a people of faith, hope, and love, living out the Gospel in ways that transform both individuals and communities. Guided by our vision of “Becoming Disciples, Making Disciples,” we remain committed to nurturing faithful disciples of Christ, proclaiming His love, and serving our nation with compassion, integrity, and humility.
For over two centuries, the Methodist Church has been privileged to serve the people of Sri Lanka through worship, education, healthcare, social responsibility, and community development. While our methods may evolve to meet the needs of each generation, our mission remains unchanged, to make Christ known and to reflect His love through faithful service.
We live in a world that presents many challenges, yet it also offers countless opportunities for the Church to be a source of hope, reconciliation, and peace. As a Church that embraces people from diverse cultures, languages, and communities, we believe that our unity in Christ enables us to be a faithful witness to God’s love in a changing society.
This website has been developed to provide a window into the life and ministry of the Methodist Church in Sri Lanka. Whether you are a member of our Church, someone seeking to learn more about the Christian faith, or a visitor exploring our ministries, I trust you will find valuable information about our mission, our heritage, and the many ways in which God is at work through our congregations and institutions.
I warmly invite you to journey with us as we continue to worship God, serve our neighbours, care for creation, and share the hope of Jesus Christ with all people.
May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you always.
Rev. Kingsley Weerasinghe
President
The Methodist Church in Sri Lanka.
Structure and Governance
The Methodist Church in Sri Lanka is governed through a connexional system, a distinctive Methodist model that reflects shared leadership, mutual accountability, and collaborative ministry. This approach brings together ordained ministers and lay members in the life, mission, and governance of the Church, ensuring that decisions are made prayerfully, collectively, and in the best interests of the Church’s witness.
Guided by Scripture, the Methodist tradition, and the decisions of the Conference, the Church is committed to faithful stewardship, transparent governance, and effective leadership at every level of its ministry.
The Conference
The Conference is the supreme governing body of the Methodist Church in Sri Lanka. Meeting annually, it provides spiritual direction and oversight for the Church, making decisions on matters relating to doctrine, ministry, mission, governance, finance, property, and administration. Comprising ordained ministers and elected lay representatives from across the Connexion, the Conference reflects the Methodist commitment to shared leadership and collective discernment in fulfilling the Church’s mission.
The President
The President of the Methodist Church in Sri Lanka serves as the spiritual leader of the Connexion, providing pastoral guidance and leadership while presiding over the annual Conference. Working alongside the Vice President and Conference officers, the President encourages the Church to remain faithful to its mission, strengthen its ministries, and respond to the changing needs of society with wisdom and compassion.
Districts
The Church’s ministry is organised into Districts, each providing leadership, pastoral oversight, and administrative support to the Circuits within its geographical area. District leadership promotes collaboration among churches, encourages mission and ministry, and ensures that the work of the Conference is effectively carried out at the regional level.
Circuits
Each District is made up of several Circuits, which consist of one or more local congregations. Every Circuit is led by a Superintendent Minister, together with Circuit Stewards and the Circuit Meeting. The Circuit provides leadership in worship, discipleship, pastoral care, evangelism, administration, and the responsible stewardship of Church resources.
Local Churches
The local church is at the heart of Methodist life and ministry. It is within the congregation that people gather to worship God, grow in faith, serve their communities, and bear witness to the Gospel. Ministers and lay leaders work together through various committees and ministries to nurture discipleship, encourage fellowship, and respond to the needs of the community.
Boards, Departments and Committees
The ministries of the Methodist Church in Sri Lanka are supported by a number of boards, departments, commissions, and committees established by the Conference. These bodies provide leadership and expertise in areas such as evangelism, education, youth, children’s ministry, women’s ministry, social responsibility, finance, communications, property, and theological education.
Together, they strengthen the mission of the Church by developing policies, coordinating programmes, supporting local congregations, and promoting the vision of the Methodist Church throughout Sri Lanka.
Connexional Ministry
The connexional structure of the Methodist Church encourages every congregation, Circuit, District, and institution to work together as one body in Christ. This shared approach to ministry fosters unity, accountability, and cooperation, enabling the Church to respond effectively to the spiritual, social, and pastoral needs of the nation while remaining faithful to its calling to proclaim the Gospel and serve all people.
Through prayerful leadership, responsible governance, and faithful stewardship, the Methodist Church in Sri Lanka continues to fulfil its vision of “Becoming Disciples, Making Disciples,” serving God and the people of Sri Lanka with faith, hope, and love.
Our History
The Methodist Church in Sri Lanka traces its beginnings to 1814, when a team of missionaries commissioned by the British Methodist Conference arrived on the island, then known as Ceylon. Although their leader, Rev. Thomas Coke, passed away during the voyage, the remaining missionaries faithfully continued the mission, laying the foundation for what would become the Methodist Church in Sri Lanka.
The first Methodist congregation was established in Colombo, and in 1815 the Pettah Methodist Church was built. Today, it stands as the oldest Methodist church in Asia and remains a significant landmark in the Church’s history.
From its earliest days, the Methodist Church embraced a holistic approach to ministry, combining the proclamation of the Gospel with education, healthcare, and social outreach. Methodist missionaries established churches, schools, printing presses, orphanages, and medical ministries, making a lasting contribution to the social and educational development of the country. At its peak, the Church managed approximately 180 schools, many of which were later taken over by the Government of Sri Lanka.
As the Church grew, leadership increasingly passed into the hands of Sri Lankan clergy and lay members. A significant milestone was reached in 1964, when, during its 150th anniversary celebrations, the Methodist Church in Sri Lanka became an autonomous Conference, marking a new chapter of self-governance while remaining part of the worldwide Methodist family.
Today, the Methodist Church in Sri Lanka continues to serve communities across the island through worship, discipleship, education, social responsibility, peacebuilding, and community development. Rooted in more than two centuries of faithful witness, the Church remains committed to sharing the love of Christ and serving the people of Sri Lanka with compassion, justice, and hope.
Educational Institutions
Education has been at the heart of the ministry and mission of the Methodist Church Sri Lanka since the arrival of the Methodist movement in the country. From its earliest days, the Methodist mission recognised education as an important means of serving communities, nurturing young people, and creating opportunities for personal and social transformation. Schools established through the Methodist mission were not only places of academic learning but also centres where values such as faith, discipline, compassion, service, and responsibility were cultivated.
The Methodist Church’s commitment to education was founded on the belief that learning should develop the whole person, intellectually, spiritually, socially, and morally. Through its educational institutions, the Church has contributed significantly to the growth of education in Sri Lanka, welcoming students from diverse backgrounds and providing an environment where young people are encouraged to pursue excellence while serving others.
Among the many educational institutions connected with the Methodist tradition in Sri Lanka, Methodist College Colombo and Wesley College Colombo remain two of the most prominent institutions carrying forward this legacy.
Methodist College Colombo
Methodist College Colombo traces its origins to 1866, when Miss Catherine Scott, a missionary sent by the Women’s Auxiliary of the Methodist Church, established the Kollupitiya Girls’ English School in Colombo. Beginning with a small group of students, the school was founded with the vision of providing quality education for girls within a Christian environment.
Miss Catherine Scott served as the school’s first Principal and played a significant role in laying the foundation for what would later become one of Sri Lanka’s leading girls’ schools. Under her leadership, the school gradually expanded, gaining recognition as an institution committed to the education and empowerment of young women. In 1874, boarding facilities were introduced, further extending opportunities for girls from different parts of the country.
Initially known as the Kollupitiya Girls’ English School and later as Kollupitiya Girls’ High School, the institution was officially renamed Methodist College in 1915, reflecting its strong connection with the Methodist Church and its heritage.
Throughout its history, Methodist College has continued to embody the values of Methodist education, providing a holistic education that develops academic ability, leadership, creativity, confidence, and a spirit of service. Guided by Christian principles, the institution has remained committed to empowering young women to become responsible citizens who contribute positively to their families, communities, and the nation.
Over more than 150 years, Methodist College has produced generations of women who have contributed to Sri Lanka and the wider world in education, public service, arts, science, business, and many other professions. The school is led by its current Principal, Mrs. Devshani Samaranayke.
Wesley College Colombo
Wesley College Colombo was established on 2 March 1874 as an educational institution of the Methodist Church in Sri Lanka. The vision for the school emerged from the Methodist mission’s desire to provide a high standard of Christian education for young men. It was founded at the City Mission Buildings in Dam Street, Pettah, with Rev. Samuel R. Wilkin serving as its first Principal and Rev. Daniel Henry Pereira as its first Vice Principal.
The school was named after Rev. John Wesley, the founder of the Methodist movement, reflecting its deep connection with the Methodist faith and mission. Its founding vision was to provide education that combined academic excellence with Christian values, character development, and service to society.
Beginning in Pettah, Wesley College later moved to its present location at Karlsruhe Gardens, Borella, in 1907 as the school expanded. Over the years it developed into one of Sri Lanka’s most respected educational institutions, producing generations of students who have contributed to national development and global communities.
Through academic programmes, sports, extracurricular activities, and community engagement, Wesley College continues to encourage students to develop their talents and leadership abilities, remaining a testament to the Methodist Church’s belief that education shapes individuals who serve with wisdom, compassion, and integrity. The school is led by its current Principal, Mr. Avanka Fernando.
Continuing the Methodist Educational Mission
Methodist College Colombo and Wesley College Colombo represent the continuing educational mission of the Methodist Church Sri Lanka. For generations, these institutions have carried forward the vision of Methodist pioneers who believed that education could transform lives and strengthen communities.
Today, these schools continue to stand as places where knowledge is nurtured, character is developed, and young people are prepared to become compassionate leaders and responsible citizens. Through its educational ministry, the Methodist Church Sri Lanka continues to affirm its commitment to serving society and investing in future generations.
Join us in worship this Sunday
Wherever you are on your journey of faith, you are welcome among us. Find a Methodist congregation near you and share in worship, fellowship, and service.