PILIMATALAWA, SRI LANKA

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The Theological College of Lanka was

inaugurated in 1963 by the Anglican Church, the Methodist Church and the Baptist Church. Later the Presbyterian Church (Presbytery

of Lanka) joined the federation to educate the new clergy in the environment of Sri Lanka and their own Languages;

Sinhala & Tamil. It is believed that language is the vehicle of culture and when

Christians begin to think, speak, preach,. pray and write in their own languages, they soon become familiar with their cultural values and begin to appreciate them in the practice of their Christian faith. This new step was foreseen

by all the churches as an attempt to produce indigenous theology by people who are being educated in

Sri Lanka.

In the year 1964 the TCL was accredited by the Senate of Serampore College (University) of India. Over 75% of the active clergy in the constituent churches in Sri Lanka today have received their theological and pastoral education at the TCL. It is anticipated that by the year 2000 more than 90% of the active clergy of the constituent churches will have been trained at the TCL.

The TCL is the only accredited United Theological college among the Protestant churches of Sri Lanka, which not only maintains its ecumenical foundation, but also
brings together the Sinhala and Tamil students who are both men and women in a fellowship both at work and at leisure. This is an integral aspect of the personal and spiritual formation of the future ministers of a country which is torn apart by ethnic divisions. The Chapel and the Library play significant roles in this formation.

THE CHAPEL

The Chapel is located in the very centre of our academic complex that comprises also the library. The Chapel in its entirety possesses an oriental air, with the absence of pews and chairs and the spreading of mats on the floor, both for clergy and laity. The religious services of morning and evening prayer and regular weekly Eucharist are conducted in Sinhala, Tamil and English languages in succession.

Bonhoeffer asked the question, "What is the place of prayer and worship in the entire absence of religion?" This is another way of asking, "What pattern of prayer makes sense and relevance in the kind of world in which we live?" This has been the struggle

of the community at Pilimatalawa.

THE LIBRARY

Our library contains around 16,000 usable titles and about 600 reference volumes.

The library subscribes to about 75 periodicals and local weeklies.

The books in our library are mainly written in English and deal with Christian Theology, Church History, Biblical studies, Practical Theology, other Religions and Missiology. We also have some Bible commentaries, dictionaries and Monographs.

CHURCH HISTORY DOCUMENTATION PROGRAMME

Church History Documentation Programme is a very special contribution that the Theological College of Lanka would be making to the Church in Sri Lanka, by collecting, restoring, preserving and documenting all the available material pertaining to the History of Christianity in Sri Lanka.

It is expected that this programme will serve as

the Sri Lanka Church archives, in the days to come.