Even though the Christian community living in Sri Lanka has conducted religious observances joining with religious centers for centuries, no direct link has been established between such religious organizations and government.
During the past decade, the role to be performed by the government on Christian community and their religious centers under the concept "All religions should be treated at one and the same level" has been expanded and developed. In the meantime, the attention of government was significantly drawn to the clergy and devotees of Christianity. As a result of this trend, mutual trust and relationships have developed systematically within the Christian religious body as well as between religious centers and government.
The religious places situated both in urban and rural areas serve as institutions which lay the foundation to enhance ethics, virtues and morals whilst conducting Christian religious observances. Our service is to provide assistance and sponsorship through government and other institutions, which is necessary to make a generation enriched with morality and to develop the Christian community in spiritual and attitudinal aspects, making religious places the center for the purpose whilst joining with the Roman Catholic Church and the Christian churches affiliated to the National Christian Board.
This Department, which was established in May 1999 by a Cabinet Memorandum as the Department of Christian Religious Affairs and Cultural Affairs under the Ministry of Cultural Religious Affairs, has seen a gradual evolution through various changes under different Ministries and Ministers. Since 1 August 2007, the Department of Christian Religious Affairs has been developed in a more proper and systematic way, becoming a more active institution. Accordingly, the role of the Department was implemented under the following four divisions.
Work for the welfare of Christians.
Provide secular support for the sustenance of Christian religion and culture.
Promotion of Christian values, culture and beliefs in a socially acceptable manner.
Comprehensive overview of our administrative divisions, national event observances, and island-wide community development programmes.
The Administration Division coordinates and supervises the establishment, administrative and management activities of the Department. It handles staff matters, recruitment, training, attendance, office administration, facilities, transport and other general administrative services.
The Development Division implements and coordinates programmes that support the development and welfare of the Christian community and Christian religious institutions. Its activities include assistance for churches, development of church infrastructure, religious programmes, competitions, and other community development initiatives.
The Accounts Division manages the financial activities of the Department in accordance with government financial regulations and procedures. It is responsible for budgeting, expenditure management, payments, procurement-related financial activities, financial records and reporting.
The Internal Audit Division independently reviews the activities of the Administration, Development and Accounts Divisions to ensure compliance with applicable rules, regulations and procedures. It conducts internal audits, issues audit queries, prepares audit reports and supports the work of the Audit and Management Committee.
