Colombo Theological Seminary, Sri Lanka (CTS) celebrated its 7th biennial graduation service of Thanksgiving and Commissioning on July 25, 2009. In this event, a total of 36 students were awarded the ATA-accredited Bachelor of Theology or a Diploma in Theology. In  addition, nine others received the Certificate in Christian Studies. The Chief Guest was Dr. Robert Solomon, the Bishop of the Methodist Church in Singapore.

The CTS Extension Programme in Jaffna, on the other hand, celebrated its 2nd biennial graduation service of Thanksgiving and Commissioning on October 17, 2009. Fifteen students were awarded the ATA-accredited Diploma in Theology (by Extension). Another 52 students received the Certificate in Christian Studies, and Level I and II Certificates. The Chief Guest was Mr. Eran Wickramaratne, founder-member of CTS and CEO of the NDB Bank Sri Lanka. The Yaalpanam programme is CTS’ first education-by-extension initiative which begun in 2001. The programme is currently administered through one extension center that offers the Diploma in Theology and two satellite centers that offer the Certificate in Christian Studies—all in the Tamil language. Of historic significance was the launch of the Bachelor of Theology programme in this event. This enables those in the northern peninsula to undertake studies at the bachelor’s level, while continuing to provide the much-needed pastoral services to their congregations.

A few days after the 2nd biennial graduation service, CTS launched its fourth education-by-extension programme in Hambantota. The new programme offers theological education to Christians in the Sinhala language. As in all its extension initiatives, this programme is run in collaboration with the Pastors Fellowship of the region. The CTS Hambantota Resource Centre was also declared open–with the placing of the first few books at the center.