Cardinal Albert Malcolm Ranjith Patabendige Don, Metropolitan Archbishop of Colombo, was born on 15 November 1947 in Polgahawela, Sri Lanka. After attending seminary in Colombo and Kandy, he was sent to the Pontifical Urbanian University, graduating in 1974, and the Pontifical Biblical Institute, graduating in 1978.

He was ordained a priest on 29 June 1975 in Saint Peter’s Square. 

On 17 June 1991 he was elected titular Bishop of Cabarsussi and appointed Auxiliary Bishop for the archdiocese of Colombo. He was consecrated bishop on 31 August 1991.

On 2 November 1995 he was appointed Bishop of Ratnapura. 

On 1 October 2001 he was appointed adjunct secretary of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples, and president of the Pontifical Missionary Aid Societies.

On 29 April 2004 he was appointed Apostolic Nuncio in Indonesia and East Timor, and at the same time, titular Archbishop of Umbriatico.

On 10 December 2005 he was nominated secretary of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of Sacraments.

On 16 June 2009 he was appointed Archbishop of Colombo.

He is president of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference in Sri Lanka since April 2010.

He participated in the conclave of March 2013, which elected Pope Francis.

Created and proclaimed Cardinal by Benedict XVI in the Consistory of 20 November 2010, of the Title of San Lorenzo in Lucina (Saint Lawrence in Lucina).

Member of:

• Dicasteries: for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments; for the Evangelization.