Christianity in Sri Lanka is not well known before the 16th century although some local traditions claim that Saint Thomas the Apostle was active on the island.Christianity in Sri Lanka on Discover Sri Lanka Portuguese missionaries from India, especially under the authority of Saint Francis Xavier, introduced Roman Catholicism to the Kingdom of Jaffna in northern Sri Lanka.A short account of the historical and devotional development of the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Madhu on the Mannar Diocese webpage The newly converted Christians were persecuted under both the king of Jaffna and the Dutch.Ceylon on Catholic Encyclopedia. During this time the Catholics regrouped to form a church a few miles north in Manthai, installing a statue of Our Lady of Good Health in a shrine.
