Bishop Anton Pillainayagam Ranjith
Auxiliary Bishop of Colombo, Sri Lanka
Titular Bishop of Materiana
Apostolic Administrator of Batticaloa
Bishop Anton Pillainayagam Ranjith, commonly known as Anton Ranjith, was born on 23 September 1966 in Jaffna, Sri Lanka. He has an extensive academic background, holding a Baccalaureate in Theology (B.Th.) from Rome, a Bachelor of Mathematics (B.Math.) from Jaffna, a Diploma in Education (Dip.Ed.) from Colombo, a Master of Education (M.Ed.) from the United Kingdom, and a Doctorate (Ph.D.) from Jaffna. His academic and theological formation has significantly shaped his pastoral ministry and leadership in the Church.
Priestly Ministry
Bishop Anton Ranjith was ordained a priest for the Archdiocese of Colombo on 16 September 2000 and has since served with dedication in various pastoral, academic, and administrative roles. His background in mathematics and education has allowed him to contribute effectively to Catholic education and theological formation.
Episcopal Ministry
On 13 July 2020, Pope Francis appointed him as Auxiliary Bishop of Colombo and Titular Bishop of Materiana. His episcopal ordination took place on 29 August 2020 at St. Lucia’s Cathedral, Colombo, with Albert Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith as the principal consecrator. His co-consecrators included Bishop Julian Winston Sebastian Fernando, S.S.S. of Badulla, and Bishop Justin Bernard Gnanapragasam of Jaffna.
In addition to his role as Auxiliary Bishop, he was appointed Apostolic Administrator of Batticaloa on 19 August 2024, further expanding his pastoral leadership beyond the Archdiocese of Colombo. His role as an administrator reflects the trust placed in him by the Holy See to guide the Diocese of Batticaloa through a period of transition.
Contributions and Legacy
Bishop Anton Ranjith's expertise in theology, education, and administration makes him a valuable leader in the Sri Lankan Church. His commitment to priestly formation, Catholic education, and community service has had a lasting impact on the faithful. With his academic background and pastoral heart, he continues to guide the Archdiocese of Colombo and the Diocese of Batticaloa, ensuring the spiritual and intellectual growth of the Church in Sri Lanka.