Bishop Kenneth Fernando, the 13th Bishop of Colombo, was a humble servant of God and great leader of the Christian community in Sri Lanka, who dedicated his life to peace and justice, ecumenism and inter-religious dialogue.

He had a distinguished academic career at Royal College, Colombo and thereafter at the University of Peradeniya where he studied Western Classics. After pursuing his theological studies at Cuddeston in Oxford, he was ordained deacon and later as a priest in England.

He returned to Sri Lanka in 1959, working in both rural and urban parishes as well as “Sudharshana” in Galle where he developed the Outreach mission of the Church.

He held the office of the Secretary to the Diocese of Colombo and the Incorporated Trustees of the Church of Ceylon. As Diocesan Secretary he worked tirelessly spearheading the effort to collect the balance funds needed to complete the stalled work on the construction of the new Cathedral at Bauddhaloka Mawatha, and saw it through to fruition.

He was consecrated as Bishop of Colombo in December 1992, at a time of great turbulence in the country and courageously stood up for justice, peace, reconciliation and unity, even against opposition and criticism.

Ecumenism, the work of witnessing together in unity, to the Good News and values of God’s kingdom or His community on this earth was one of Bishop Kenneth’s passions and he will be remembered for his efforts towards the creation of a United Church of Sri Lanka and for his work as Director of the Ecumenical Institute (EISD).

The setting up of an Estate Management Unit for the diocese, established under the Incorporated Trustees in 1992, was another of his achievements.
His major contributions to the Church were that of the incorporation of the Church of Ceylon, by Act of Parliament in 1998, which replaced the archaic ordinance of 1895.

After retirement, Bishop Kenneth continued to give generously of his knowledge and experience, and his counsel was much sought after. His clear exposition of the issues around the creation of new dioceses and a Province of the Church of Ceylon was much valued and appreciated.
His yearning was to create a just and peaceful nation for all Sri Lankans.

His was an exemplary purpose-filled life, of dedicated service to God.

Bishop Kenneth and his wife Chitra Fernando, shared their knowledge with each other and jointly contributed to the nation at large. Their retirement was spent well in their home at Piliyandala in serving and educating the villagers around them, which gave them great satisfaction.

The remains of the late Bishop Kenneth Fernando lies in state at the Cathedral. A Requiem will be held at the Cathedral on Monday the 8th of September (The Feast of Mary, the Mother of our Lord) at 2.30pm