Several priests and religious hail from St John the Baptist Parish, Periyavilan. The honour of being the first priest from Vilan goes to Rev Fr J John Edward Thuraisingham OMI, now serving in Pakistan. His Sacerdotal Golden Jubilee was on 6th April 2020. Jubilee celebrations planned for in the parish had to be put on hold due to Covid-19 pandemic. Other priests from the parish include Fr S R Bishman OMI, Fr J J Moulies , Fr S Peter Rajanayagam, Fr M L Thayaharan, Fr R G Vigintus and the most recently ordained (16 Feb 2022) Fr Johnson Devapalan CMF. Religious Brothers from the parish, late Bro David SSJ and Rev Bro P M Linus FC who is a prominent and distiguished member of the Brothers of Charity Congregation. He was Regional Superior for Sri Lanka 2007 - 2012, General Secretary at Brothers of Charity Generalate in Rome 2012 - 2018 and Regional Superior for India 2018 - 2021. Pictures in Photo Gallery 2021.

After dedicated service as our Parish Priest for four years, Rev Fr Asir Manuel SSS moved on to accept a fresh challenge for his congregation. During his time at Vilan Fr Manuel successfully completed much needed refurbishment and improvements to the Church and Church House. We all wish Fr Manuel well at his new appointment.

The new Parish Priest is Rev Fr Anthony Maryan SSS. A combined Farewell and Welcome event was accorded to the two priests by the parishioners on 20^th December 2020. Rev Fr P J Jebaratnam, Vicar General, Jaffna Diocese, kindly graced the occasion. Pictures in Photo Gallery 2020.

Assistant Priests at the Parish: Rev Fr Gnanarajah Christopher, SSS (Jan 2019 - present), Rev Fr Melraj Revl, SSS (Jun 2019 - Oct 2019), Rev Fr Joe Packiyam, SSS (Jun 2017 - Jan 2019), Rev Fr Gnanapragasam Mangalathasan, SSS (Nov 2016 - Jun 2017). 

The Rev Fr Asir Manuel SSS, our Parish Priest has been working very hard right from the beginning; with the support of the Parish committee, he undertook a significant refurbishment of the presbytery and the Priest’s House. Pictures in Photo Gallery 2020.

In the spiritual front too, his pastoral ministry to the aged and the sick of the parish is much appreciated. Fr Manuel is also actively involved in the special mission initiative.

As part of the November 2016 transfer programme for priests in Jaffna diocese, Rev Fr F L N Croos OMI was transferred from our parish to Naranthanai. As our Parish Priest for many years,  Fr Croos had done great things for the parish and this was much appreciated by the parishioners and overseas friends of St John the Baptist parish. A very warm and remarkable farewell was accorded to Fr Croos. We all wish Fr Croos well at his new parish.

The Bishop has invited the Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament to assume responsibility for our parish and their Rev Fr A Manuel SSS has been appointed Parish Priest. A warm welcome was accorded to Fr Manuel by the parishioners and he has lost no time in getting deeply involved in his duties and responsibilities. Members of Vilan Society London send our warm greetings and good wishes to Fr Manuel.