Retired Methodist Bishop hailed

by D.C. de Silva, Kahawa Special Cor

Galle Methodist Bishop Rt. Rev. Ebenezer Joseph was commended by the Governor Southern Province Kumari Balasuriya for the humanitarian role played by him during the tsunami period in the island.

Governor Balasuriya also pointed out that Bishop Joseph was instrumental in repairing over 300 houses and giving a new life to 1500 families in the Galle district.

The Governor was speaking at a function to felicitate Bishop Joseph on his retirement at the Town Hall, Galle, last week.

Bishop Joseph retired on August 2010, in order to assume duties, as the Secretary-General of the National Christian Council.

To pay honour and gratitude to whom it is due is a noble act under any religious doctrine, said Governor Balasuriya.

Such personalities with nobility had spent their valuable time, knowledge, wealth, experience, to fulfil social needs, and such persons are very rare in the society today, she said.

Bishop Joseph is one such personality, she said.

"During his tenure of office as the Bishop of the Methodist Church, especially during the Post-tsunami period, he was instrumental in the repairing of over 300 houses of Tsunami-affected families in the area, providing them with new hope, the Governor said.

He set up libraries, and Vocational Training Centers in the areas hit by the Tsunami.In his new capacity as the Secretary General of the National Christian Council, he will be the Chief of Methodist Christians of Sri Lanka, she said.

He had already added glory to Sri Lanka being a member of the Executive Committee of the World Methodist Council she said wishing him good luck.

The ceremony was also addressed by the Ven. Kegalle Pagngnarama Thera, Fr. Nihal Nanayakkara of the Catholic Church, Rev. Deshapriya De. Silva of the Lanka Sabha, Rev. Fr. Piyasena and Rev. Sisira Kumara.