Joseph Ponniah

Joseph Ponniah (12 October 1952 – 19 May 2025) was a Sri Lankan Roman Catholic prelate, who served as a Bishop of Batticaloa.

Background Ponniah was born on 12 October 1952 in Thannamunai in eastern Ceylon. He was educated at St. Joseph's Minor Seminary and St. Joseph's College, Trincomalee. He had a Bachelor of Philosophy degree from St. Paul Seminary, Thiruchirapally and a Bachelor of Theology from the National Seminary, Poonah.

Ponniah died on 19 May 2025, at the age of 72.

Career Ponniah was ordained a priest in April 1980. He was parish priest at St. Mary's Co-Cathedral, Batticaloa (1980–82), Vaharai, Veechchu Kalmunai and Ayhiyamalai. He was rector at the Minor Seminar, Batticaloa (1993–96) before teaching Pauline theology as professor of holy scriptures at the National Seminary, Ampitiya (1996-01). He was then parish priest in Thandavanveli (2001–06) and vicar general for the Diocese of Trincomalee-Batticaloa (2006–08). He also lectured at the Eastern University, Sri Lanka. In February 2008 he was appointed Auxiliary Bishop of Trincomalee-Batticaloa and was ordained a bishop in May 2008. He was appointed Bishop of Batticaloa in July 2012.