Mariampillai Sarathjeevan

He was one of the few priests who remained with the refugees until the end of war in northern parts of Sri Lanka.

Sarathjeevan, known as "Father Sara", was the coordinator of Jesuit Refugee Service for Kilinochchi district in Sri Lanka.

[6] Father Sara was born in a small village called Bogawanthalawa in Sri Lanka on May 13, 1968.

Therefore, his parents transferred to Kaddukaran-kudiyiruppu, - a small village in Thalaimannar with 13 families and an ancient St. James Church.

Father Sara had his primary and high school education at St. Patrick's College, Jaffna.

After graduating from high school and a technical college in Jaffna, he answered the call to serve his people and church by entering St. Martin's Seminary on March 1, 1993.

After serving the people of Passiyoor and St. Hendry's College in Illavalai, he was ordained to the priesthood at St. Mary's Cathedral, Jaffna on 14 May 2003.

In March 2005 he was transferred to St. Fatima's church, Uruthirapuram in Kilinochchi, which was the capital of Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam - an opposition armed force in Sri Lanka at that time.

Father Sara was one of the 8 priests who remained with the displaced people because all other humanitarians - including the International Committee of the Red Cross and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees - left the region for their own safety.

[7] Fr.Sarathjeevan Foundation provides financial support for children's education, housing, basic needs such as toilets and medical assistance for families affected by the civil war.

Picture of late Rev. Fr. Sarathjeevan
Statue of late Rev. Fr. Sarathjeevan who died in Sri Lankan war zone along with refugees whom he was helping.
This preschool was built by Human Development Center (HUDEC) of Jaffna Diocese of the Catholic Church in Sri Lanka. It was dedicated to Rev. Fr. Sarathjeevan who died in Sri Lankan civil war with his people.