The Church of Ceylon was represented at the Asian Theological Accompaniment Programme (ATAP) 2026 Meeting, held from 8–12 June 2026 at Jakarta Theological College, Indonesia, by the Bishop of Kurunegala, the Rt. Rev. Nishantha Fernando, and the Bishop of Colombo, the Rt. Rev. Dushantha Rodrigo.
Around 30 bishops, theological educators, and ecumenical partners from across Asia gathered for the meeting under the theme, "Retrospect, Reimagine, Renew: Strengthening Theological Education in Partnership."
Throughout the week, participants reflected on the achievements and lessons of ATAP's three-year journey while discerning future directions for strengthening theological education across the Asian region.
A distinctive feature of this year's programme was the participation of bishops alongside deans and principals of theological institutions. This highlighted the shared conviction that theological education is strengthened when church leadership and academic institutions work in close partnership.
The meeting also explored ways to support emerging leaders, women theologians, and the next generation of academic and church leaders who will play a vital role in shaping the future of theological education in Asia.
The participation of the bishops of the Church of Ceylon reflects the Church's ongoing commitment to theological formation, regional collaboration, and the development of future Christian leadership within Asia.