The Holy Family Sisters arrived in Embilipitiya on the 17th of February 1985. Embilipitiya which belongs to the Galle Diocese was then a fast growing town due to the development of irrigation of agriculture as well as industries such as the paper corporation and river valley development board.
 The Holy Family Sisters were invited by Bishop Sylvester during the time of sister Josephine Mendis the then Provincial Superior. The main purpose of the presence of the Holy Family Sisters was to provide a sound religious education to the children of the Catholic families which numbered 62 family unites at the time. At the beginning, the sisters travelled from Brawakubukka community 17 Kilo meters away from Embilipitiya. Due to difficulties of travelling and the non- availability of facilities the sisters were unable to fulfil the expectations of the parish mission.
With the approval of Sr. Josephine Mendis the Parish Priest under took to build the convent which was blessed by Bishop Sylvester. Three Sisters,
Arcadia, Odile and Marie Paul formed the first community. Sr. Odile was given an appointment in Udagama Maha Vidyalaya (College). Sr. Marie Paul helped in the Parish. A pre – school was started by Sr. Arcadia in 1985- 1989 at the request of Buddhist parents. It was conducted in the parish garage until the present pre-school was ready. The pre-school consisting 69 children and 9 teachers was registered under the Provincial act of Sabaragamua. Later due to the religious conflicts parents refused to send their children to the pre-school. The situation however is now changed with the renewal of relationship to the village and visiting families. At present the total number of students has increased to 60.
 A Catholic movement for children of all religions known as LAKRIVI was begun in the parish, this is flourishing today. Here children are formed to improve their talents and abilities; to care for the environment and to work together in harmony.
A Youth Club was also begun. Youth are motivated to participate in different competitions to improve their abilities. They are taught good behaviour by this organisation. Youth are trained to organize the morning services and functions. Sometimes there was a lack of participation as some of the homes were far away from the parish.
Social Services too took to a prominent place. Sewing machines and chairs were provided in order to organize training programmes for the young generation, with the assistance of Fr. Sunil Paul and a welfare organisation known as ‘CARITAS’. Buddhist priests also gave their fullest co-operation to develop the rural villages. As a result of the economical downfall of the families the youth were motivated to go for jobs in the garment industry.
Women’s Clubs were also begun. In Thorakolayaya, a rural village in Embilipitiya, have 25 members in this club (“Diriya Matha” -Courageous Women). The main purpose of this club is to encourage women to take their due place in the home and in society. These projects were helped by “SEDEC”, an organisation to help the poor and the needy. Monthly meetings are held with the sisters and the women are taught the value of co-operation and helping others. The meetings were conducted in one of the homes of the members. Some of these gatherings last as much as three hours.
These services still continue in the mission. The sisters have been very happy working in this faraway parish where they bear witness of the Catholic faith to a majority Buddhist population. The mission is a model where we can work with all types of religions to uplift the masses and to alleviate poverty. As we complete 25 years of presence we say “Thanks be to God for His Mercies.”
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