Background
Ponniah was born on 12 October 1952 in Thannamunai in eastern Ceylon.
Ponniah was born on 12 October 1952 in Thannamunai in eastern Ceylon.
He was educated at Saint Joseph"s Minor Seminary and Saint Joseph"s College, Trincomalee. He has Bachelor of Philosophy degree from Saint Paul Seminary, Thiruchirapally and a Bachelor of Theology from the National Seminary, Poonah.
Ponniah also has a Bachelor of Arts degree form the University of Peradeniya, a Licentiate in Biblical Theology degree from the Pontifical Urbaniana University (1993) and a Doctor of Philosophy in Christian civilization from the University of Jaffna. Ponniah was ordained as a priest in April 1980. He was parish priest at Saint Mary"s Company-Cathedral, Batticaloa (1980-1982), Vaharai, Veechchu Kalmunai and Ayhiyamalai.
He was rector at the Minor Seminar, Batticaloa (1993-1996) before teaching Pauline theology as professor of holy scriptures at the National Seminary, Ampitiya (1996-1901).
He was then parish priest in Thandavanveli (2001-2006) and vicar general for the Diocese of Trincomalee-Batticaloa (2006-2008). He has also lectured at the Eastern University, Sri Lanka.
In February 2008 he was appointed Auxiliary Bishop of Trincomalee-Batticaloa and was ordained as a bishop in May 2008. He was appointed Bishop of Batticaloa in July 2012.
