Maxwell Silva

The Episcopal consecration took place on February 11, 2012 at St.Lucia's Cathedral, Colombo. His Eminence Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith, the Archbishop of Colombo presided as the Principal Consecrator along with Most Rev Archbishop Joseph Spiteri (former Apostolic Nuncio to Sri Lanka) and Rt. Rev Bishop Rayappu Joseph (Bishop Emeritus of Mannar).

Pope Benedict XVI appointed him as the one of the Auxiliary Bishops of the Archdiocese of Colombo (alongside Rt. Rev Fidelis Lionel Emmanuel Fernando) on Nov. 28, 2011. He was the fourth priest to enter the episcopacy from Moratuwa following His Lordships Bishop Julian Winston Fernando, Bishop Marius Peiris, Bishop Valence Mendis.

Since then he has served in the parishes of Dalugama (1981-1983), Thibbotugoda (1983-1986), Mabola and Kerawelapitiya.

In 1971 he gained admission to the Harwarden Intermediate Seminary at Haputhale and on February 9, 1974 he entered the National Seminary in Ampitiya with God's guidance for the formation of the priesthood. He was ordained to the priesthood on July 25, 1981, alongside several other deacons at St. Lucia's Cathedral by Nicholas Marcus Fernando, Archbishop Emeritus of Colombo.

Neither Silva's parents nor his family observed signs of his calling when he was a child. He entered the St Aloysius Minor Seminary on May 3, 1967 after his General Ordinary Level examination. It is said that the Jesuit priests on his mother's side of the family were inspirational in this vocational call and with his parents' blessing he chose the path to priesthood. He excelled in both studies and in sports.

Sampathawaduge Maxwell Grenville Silva was born on September 27, 1953 in Willorawatte, Moratuwa, Sri Lanka. Presently he is serving as the Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Colombo.