Caritas Sri Lanka – SEDEC (Socio Economic Development Centre) is the social development arm of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Sri Lanka. It is legally recognized under the Parliamentary Act No. 17 of 1983, also known as the Catholic Bishops' Conference in Sri Lanka (Incorporation) Act, and is affiliated with Caritas Internationalis. Established in 1968, Caritas Sri Lanka operates through 13 Diocesan Centres covering all 25 districts of the country, with a strong focus on areas requiring priority interventions.
Caritas Sri Lanka - SEDEC is the National Secretariat of the Commission for Justice, Peace and Human Development of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference in Sri Lanka. In each Diocese, Caritas Sri Lanka - SEDEC has an implementing Caritas Diocesan Secretariat.
Caritas Sri Lanka engages a wide range of stakeholders who are essential to its strategic planning and effective operations. Internally, the Chairman, Board of Directors, Executive Director of Caritas National Centre, and the Senior Leadership Team provide governance, oversight, and overall programme direction. The Core Team includes, the National Office staff and 13 Caritas Diocesan Centers' staff, Programme Managers, Finance and Operational teams, and the Disaster Management Team. They ensure effective coordination, implementation, and risk mitigation, forming the backbone of the organization's operational and strategic framework.
Diocesan Directors and representatives play a vital role in linking the national structure with local communities. They support grassroots engagement, convey community perspectives, and ensure diocesan priorities are reflected in the national strategic plan. Their involvement strengthens accountability, improves feedback mechanisms, and promotes ownership of interventions. By connecting local realities with national strategies, they enable Caritas Sri Lanka to deliver culturally appropriate, community-focused programmes that address both immediate humanitarian needs and long-term development goals across all regions.
Caritas Sri Lanka – SEDEC, attains its legal status under Parliamentary Act No. 17 of 1983 which is an Act to Incorporate the Catholic Bishops’ Conference in Sri Lanka.
This Act is cited as the Catholic Bishops’ Conference in Sri Lanka (Incorporation) Act No. 17 of 1983.