*Even though there were random activities of the social service to the poor and the needy in the diocese of Trincomalee – Batticaloa since 1968, the   EHED  as an entity originated  in 1978 with the cyclone that hit the eastern province, very particularly the Batticaloa district.

*The Bishop conference felt the need of establishing a social arm of the dioceses since there were poor around the place and the need for service was plenty. As these ideas were in the back of the mind, with the consensus arrived at the Catholic National Commission for Justice , Peace and Human Development took up a decision to  establish institutions in each diocese under the name of their own choice which would be affiliated to the National SEDEC.

*Late Bishop L.R. Anthony, then Bishop of Trincomalee and Batticaloa, Rev. Fr. Leo Anthony and Rev. Fr. Daniel S.J. had a discussion to arrive at a name for the diocesan institution. Finally Rev. Fr. Daniel, who evolved the name EASTERN HUMAN  AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT  with the approval of the Bishop.