After graduation he spent time as a teacher and a journalist before he chose to join the priesthood.
He then went to the Pontifical Urbaniana University in Rome from where he obtained a degree in philosophy and theology.
On returning to Ceylon he served as a pastor and diocesan director for lay apostolate.
He returned to Rome in 1976 where he did research into lay ministries and obtained a doctorate in theology.
Emmanuel moved to Germany in 1997 where he was a priest in a catholic parish in the diocese of Münster until 2007.