Rayappu Joseph

Bishop Rayappu Joseph (இராயப்பு யோசப்; 16 April 1940 – 1 April 2021) was a Sri Lanka Tamil prelate and the Roman Catholic Bishop of Mannar.

Early life and family
Joseph was born on 16 April 1940 on the island of Neduntheevu in northern Ceylon to a practitioner of indigenous medicine Living in Cheddikulam and Mannar during his early childhood, he was educated at St. Patrick's College, Jaffna. Joseph has a Doctor of Canon Law degree from the Pontifical Urbaniana University.

Career
Joseph was ordained as a priest in December 1967. He was a professor at the St Xavier's Seminary, Jaffna. In July 1992 he was appointed Bishop of Mannar and was ordained as a bishop in October 1992.

Joseph has been a vocal critic of the Sri Lankan government/Sri Lankan military's conduct during the Sri Lankan Civil War and the country's human rights record. This has led to him being threatened by government supporters.