12th November 2022
Sahan Kavishka Dissanayake

House Church Rambukkana

At the start of the 1980s, a group of people migrated from the same area to Rambukkana town in search of an Anglican, place of worship or a Sunday Service as they were Anglicans by their roots. At that time Rambukkana town was not touched much by the Anglican Church of Sri Lanka but they were giving pastoral care to the small number of families living in the town area. When the time this need arose, Then Bishop Rt. Revd. Lakshaman Wickramasinghe sent Revd Oswald Perera the Vicar of St.John the Baptist Church Kegalle to conduct services in Rambukkana and for the first time in History on the day of 15th July 1981, the first service of the House Church of Rambukkana was held at the Salvation Army Church, Rambukkana.

In 1984 when Bishop Andrew Kumarage got appointed as the new Bishop of Kurunegala he introduced the House Church system to the diocese and the House Church Of Rambukkana was accepted by the Diocese of Kurunegala. As a result, the Bishop had given the responsibilities to the Priest In Charge of Hewadiwela Church to look after the Rambukkana Congregation. As a result of that decision Revd. Amal Fernando became the first priest in charge of the House Church Of Rambukkana. He used to conduct services two weeks a month and He used to take the congregation of Rambukkana to Hewadiwela when it comes the Special Services such as Easter, Christmas, Confirmation Services

When the time passes the Rambukkana House Church became wider with the people who came and settled in the area from the areas like Thalampitiya, Kudagama, Hewadiwela, and Rambukkana. As the people who came and joined the House Church were faithful Christians and active members of their home churches, The House Church Of Rambukkana came a long way forward with the grace and strength of God.

After Fr .Amal Fernando, Fr. Nimal Wickramaratne, Fr. Laksiri Peiris, Fr. R. Wimalarathne, Fr. S. G. Wimalasena, Fr. Nishantha Fernando, Fr. Lalith Gunathilake, Fr. Eric Sugathadasa, Fr. Mahesh Hemachandra, Fr. George Melder, and Fr. Anuruddha Bandara did a great service in their times as the Priest In Charge of Rambukkana Church. Revd. Anula Muthugalarachchi, Sister Kumuduni Abeysinghe, and Sis Sylvia Perera assisted the clergy as Daham Sevikas. Fr. Samantha Senavirathne is now looking after the House Church of Rambukkana as the Residing Priest.

Rambukkana House Church is now functioning very well with the leadership of Revd Samantha Seneviratne. 30-40 people come to the Sunday worship and We are having an active Sunday School. And the House Church of Rambukkana is blessed with an active Youth Fellowship which helps the activities of the church anytime.

We remember with gratitude all our founding members who are with the Lord. Mr. & Mrs. Wijerathne, Mr. & Mrs. Jayasiri, Mrs. Kalyani Ranasinghe, Mrs. L. Marasinghe, and Mrs. R. Jayaweera .. We will pray for the comfort of their souls and especially pray for all our senior members who are still going through this journey of faith very strong.

The House Church of Rambukkana faces many difficulties at present because We don't have a permanent place to worship. All your prayers for the House Church Rambukkana community are highly appreciated.