Holy Trinity Church of Patuwatha (පටුවත ශුද්ධ ත්‍රිත්වය දේවස්ථානය)

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Nestled between the Indian Ocean and the main Galle Road, just 6.5 kilometers south of Hikkaduwa on the way to Galle, stands the charming and historic Holy Trinity Church in Patuwatha. This small yet picturesque church, consecrated on 22 October 1875, has been a quiet spiritual landmark for nearly a one and a half century.

The church owes its origins to the generosity of Don David Weerasooriya (1824–1911) and his cousin Alexander Theodore Weerasooriya, a proctor and member of the Municipal Council in Galle. The land and original buildings were donated by the two cousins, who played a crucial role in establishing a Christian presence in the region during a time when only a small number of Christians lived in Dodanduwa and Patuwatha.

In its early years, the church was served by Rev. Bastian Perera and Rev. J. H. Wickremanayake, the first Sinhalese clergy to take up leadership at Holy Trinity. One of the most influential figures in the church’s history was Rev. Lakdasa De Mel, who succeeded Rev. Wickremanayake and later became the Metropolitan of the Churches of India, Burma, and Ceylon. It was under Rev. De Mel’s guidance that the church began to incorporate indigenous forms of worship, blending local culture with Anglican tradition.

Today, the churchyard serves as the final resting place for many members of the Weerasooriya family, whose contributions were instrumental in the founding and sustenance of the church. Surrounded by lush greenery and the sound of waves in the distance, Holy Trinity Church, Patuwatha, remains a peaceful place of worship, reflecting a unique chapter in Sri Lanka’s colonial and religious heritage.

Burials of Weerasooriya family members at Holy Trinity Church of Patuwatha

References

Abeyawardana, H. A. P. (2001). Heritage of Ruhuna: Major Natural, Cultural, and Historic Sites. Ruhuna Development Bank.
EverybodyWiki Contributors. (2021, January 8). Weerasooriya Family. EverybodyWiki. Retrieved June 25, 2025, from https://en.everybodywiki.com/Weerasooriya_family

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Travel Directions to Holy Trinity Church of Patuwatha

Route from Hikkaduwa to Holy Trinity Church of Patuwatha

Distance : 3.6 km
Travel time : 10 minutes
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References

Also See

Map of Holy Trinity Church of Patuwatha

Travel Directions to Holy Trinity Church of Patuwatha

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