Rev. Dr. Christian Noel Emmanuel, was born December 25, 1960, in Trincomalee. After secondary school, he entered  St. Joseph’s Minor Seminary.

In the years 1978 – 1981 he studied philosophy at the National Seminary of Kandy. From 1981 to 1982 he did a year of regency with pastoral work.

In 1983 he entered the St. Paul’s Major Seminary, Triruchirappally, in India, where, in 1986, he finished his theological studies. He was ordained deacon 12 March, 1985 and was incardinated in the then undivided Diocese of Trincomalee-Batticaloa. He received priestly ordination on May 21, 1986, in the Cathedral of Trincomalee.