Asia and Middle East
The richness of diversity and history in the churches and theological institutions across Asia and the Middle East leads to interesting and unique partnerships and programmes in the region.
Sri Lanka
Main languages spoken: Sinhala, Tamil, English
USPG & Sri Lanka
The Church of Ceylon (Sinhala: ලංකා සභාව) is the Anglican Church in Sri Lanka and comprises of two main dioceses: Colombo and Kurunegala. It is mostly known for fields of tea in the Hill Country. However, the Malaiyaha community, made up of Tamil inhabitants brought from India to modern day Sri Lanka, to work in the tea fields have long been the subject of a fierce struggle for rights and against exploitation. The Anglican Church is therefore committed to bring hope and healing to the Malaiyaha community as a way of sharing God’s love.
Until 1970, the Church was part of the Church of India, Pakistan, Burma, and Ceylon. Ceylon is the former colonial name for Sri Lanka, but is still used in some cases. The first Anglican services were held in 1796, and Western missionaries began their work in 1818. Of its two dioceses, the Diocese of Colombo is older as it was founded in 1845 and the Diocese of Kurunegala in 1950.
Estate Community Development Mission
The Estate Community Development Mission (ECDM) was set up by the Church of Ceylon to support tea plantation workers. USPG has long partnered with the Church in its commitment to advocacy work amongst the plantation communities, seeking legal rights for tea plantation workers and their families who often do not have easy access to education.
The programme operates five preschools for 120 children, provides coaching for students, offers seminars for exam preparation, and supports university students. The focus is on the wholistic wellbeing of children: their emotional, physical and spiritual.
Leadership Development
Leadership development work in Sri Lanka, in partnership with the Church of Ceylon, focuses on strengthening both lay and ordained ministers in the Diocese of Colombo and the Diocese of Kurunegala. These programmes provide training on key areas such as climate justice, human resource management, and conflict resolution, with the overarching goal of energising the Church through leadership development and capacity building.
Asia Theological Accompaniment Programme
Theological Education Institutions (TEIs) across Asia are grappling with significant challenges, including economic recovery post-pandemic, the ownership of theological education, the need to contextualize curricula, and a renewed post-colonial consciousness. Additionally, they face external pressures such as political and economic instability, rising ethno-nationalism, religious fundamentalism, and ecological destruction.
In response, many deans, principals and other leaders from TEIs across Asia have joined with USPG for a space of interaction and exchange of expertise to enhance collaboration and resource-sharing. This initiative aims to strengthen inclusive leadership and improve institutional resilience and sustainability, fostering a transformed vision for leadership and the role of theological education in Asia.
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The Anglican Communion Day of Prayer, co-ordinated by USPG, took place at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic. Consisting of 24 consecutive hours of prayer led by Christians all over the world, catch-up on the contribution from the Church of Ceylon