National Seminary of Our Lady of Lanka

For the prior seminary that constructed and operated in the buildings, see Papal Seminary.

National Seminary of Our Lady of Lanka (Sinhala: ලංකා අප ස්වාමිදුවගේ ජාතික සෙමනේරිය Lanka Api Swamiduvage Jathika Semaneriya) is a Roman Catholic Seminary situated in Ampitiya, Kandy, Sri Lanka. It was established in 1955 from the Papal Seminary buildings after the Papal Seminary was transferred from Kandy to Pune, India. Many priests, even from the Archdiocese of Colombo, serve here.

National Seminary of Our Lady of Lanka

Sinhala: ලංකා අප ස්වාමිදුවගේ ජාතික සෙමනේරිය
Old chapel and new buildings at the National Seminary
Motto	Latin: Parare Plebem Perfectam
Motto in English	To prepare perfect people
Type	Roman Catholic Seminary
Established	1955 (1955)
Affiliations	Christianity
Religious affiliation	Roman catholic
Academic affiliations	Philosophy Theology
Chairman	Most Rev Dr Valence Mendis
Rector	Very Rev. Fr. Quintus Fernando
Director	Rev. Fr. Tharanga Hemal Kumaraperu
Students	280
Location	Kandy , Central Province , Sri Lanka 7.28217°N 80.65508°E / 7.28217; 80.65508
Language	English Sinhala Latin

The National Seminary was entrusted to the Oblates of Mary Immaculate who were already instructing priests at St. Bernard's Seminary, Colombo. The first academic year of the National Seminary of Our Lady of Lanka commenced on 10 September 1955.

History

Further information: Papal Seminary

In 1890, as per the request of Pope Leo XIII, Monsignor Ladislaus Zaleski started exploring the possibility of a Papal Seminary for India, Burma and Ceylon. Zaleski took up residence in Kandy, and chose an upland known as Ampitiya, that overlooks the Dumbara Valley. The Papal Seminary was established in 1893. It was one of the first major seminaries to be supported by the Pontifical Society of St. Peter the Apostle.

St. Xavier's Capel, Papal Seminary, Ceylon

St. Xavier's Chapel in the National Seminary 2022

After the Papal Seminary was moved to Pune, India, the former buildings became the home to the National Seminary of Our Lady of Lanka in 1955. The administration was entrusted to the Oblates of Mary Immaculate who were already instructing priests at St. Bernard's Seminary, Colombo. The first academic year of the National Seminary of Our Lady of Lanka commenced on 10 September 1955.

Teaching

One of the former instructors is the Bishop of Alaminos Napoleon Siplay, who taught at the National Seminary between 2006 and 2015.

From 1955 to 1971, Fr. Michael Rodrigo served as a lecturer of theological studies at the National Seminary.

External links

• History of National Seminary Sri Lanka (2017 archive)