Parish Priest
Rev. Fr. Gihan Priyashantha Peiris, was appointed as the Parish Priest of the Holy Mother of Expectation church in January 2024, and he was welcomed in the Parish on the 21st of January the same year.
He hails from the Parish of Duwa, a deeply rooted Catholic community in Negombo, often called “Little Rome” for its rich Catholic heritage and numerous churches. Born in 1983, he is the only child in his family.
His early education began at Maris Stella College, Negombo, where he completed his Ordinary Level studies before progressing to St. Joseph’s College, Colombo 10, for his Advanced Level education. Following his deep sense of vocation, he entered the St. Aloysius Seminary, Borella, in 2005, continuing his formation at the Daham Sevana Propaedeutic Seminary, Kalutara, and later advancing his philosophical studies at the National Seminary Philosophate in Kandy.
At the National Seminary in Kandy, he earned a Bachelor of Philosophy from the Pontifical Urban University in Rome. He traveled to Italy to pursue theological studies at the Pontifical Athenaeum Regina Apostolorum in Rome, where he obtained his Bachelor of Theology degree which he received in 2014.
He was ordained a priest on April 9, 2016, at St. Lucia’s Cathedral, Kotahena, Colombo 13, by His Eminence Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith, Archbishop of Colombo. The ceremony was graced by Rt. Rev. Dr. Fidelis Fernando (then Auxiliary Bishop, now Bishop of Mannar) and Most Rev. Maxwell Silva (Auxiliary Bishop of Colombo and Titular Bishop of Lesina).
Following his ordination, Rev. Fr. Gihan served with dedication as an Assistant Parish Priest in the parishes of Nittambuwa, Dehiyagatha, Waga, Kandawala and Dalugama, gaining valuable pastoral experience and ministering to the faithful with compassion and commitment.
In January 2024, Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith, Archbishop of Colombo, appointed him as the Parish Priest of the Holy Mother of Expectation Church, Eldeniya—his first assignment in this role. He continues to lead the faithful with compassion and dedication.
To read his message on the occasion of the launch of the Official website of the Holy Mother of Expectation church – click here.