About Us

OUR VISION
“Realization of a Just Sri Lankan Society based on Gospel Values of Love, Forgiveness, Peace, Unity, Equality – Lived, Promoted and Protected irrespective of race, caste and religion.”

OUR MISSION
“Empowering people through animation and being in solidarity in their efforts for integral human development.”

OUR HISTORY
The Diocese of Mannar was formed on May 28^th 1981. The Diocese has two civil administrative Districts, viz; Mannar and Vavuniya. The idea on the necessity for an institution to serve the poor and was brought up for discussion by both clergy and the laity of Diocese of Mannar during early   1980s. The dream became true when they received the support from the Catholic Bishops’ Conference through the Socio- Economic Development and Educational Center in (SEDEC) in Colombo that coordinates all the diocesan activities in Sri Lanka.

It’s on record that Valvuthayam was inaugurated on May 28^th 1981 to cater the Social, Economical and Educational needs of the community belonging to Mannar diocese, administered by the Bishop of Mannar.

It’s also a sincere duty to express our honest appreciation to the Rev. Fathers who were directing and guiding the operational activities of Valvuthayam as Directors, since its inception. The credit goes to Rev. Fr. J. B. Deverajah as its first Director, who relinquished his duties in May 1981 until December 1984. The second directorate was help by Rev. Fr. Alban Rajasingam OMI from 1985 to June 1995 until succeeded by energetic and enthusiastic. Rev. Fr. S. Emilianusppillai until August 2001. From September 2001 until august 2006 Valvuthayam was directed by Rev. Fr. S. Jesurajah. Since August 2006 until May 2011 Valvuthayam was directed by Rev. Fr. S. J. Peppi Sosai. He was directing the Organization throughout tough period and responded to the historical mass displacement of Vanni population.From May 2011 until July 2018 Valvuthyam was directed by Rev.Fr.M.Jeyabalan. Presently the reign of administrative and operational responsibilities are shouldered by service oriented Director Rev. Fr. Sebamalai Anton.

Services at the parish levels are coordinated through a network of parish priests of the 33 parishes. In 1981, when Valvuthayam was inaugurated there were only 15 parishes. The parish priests function as the local Directors of Valvuthayam in their respective parishes. This paves way for the smooth running of Valvuthayam.

Caritas-Valvuthayam continued to support the people disturbed by the ethnic conflict and its associated armed violence. Caritas-Valvuthayam provided humanitarian assistance to the Vanni people during their consecutive displacements which are ended at Mullivaikal during May 2009. As the peak of its humanitarian services Caritas-Valvuthayam had fed about seventy five thousand people continuously for six months who were accommodated so called “Relief camps” at Menic farm, Vavuniya.

It has been extending its services in the most vulnerable areas where the poorest of the poor people struggle to lead their daily life in the districts of Mannar and Vavuniya. It has led major 2 responses after the Tsunami disaster and a very long recovery & rehabilitation response during & after the ethnic war. There was a great need for youth empowerment in order to cater their job opportunities. For the computer education of school leavers, according to government rule, the institution had to get registration approval for its computer unit as Valvuthayam Vocational Training Institute under Tertiary and Vocational Education Commission.

After the resettlement of war affected population in Mannar District, Caritas-Valvuthayam was in the forefront to visit the people and help them in rehabilitation. Many permanent and semi-permanent houses were built. Youths after O/L and A/L were accommodated for computer courses & languages courses with the support of different funding agencies. Simultaneously, livelihood promotion activities, psycho-social awareness programs, mobile medical clinic and other humanitarian services were done to alleviate the suffering of the war-torn communities irrespective of their caste, religion and ethnicity.