Constitutional Amendment Proposed

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Sri Lankan Church Destroyed in 2003

 

Media reports from Sri Lanka suggest that a constitutional amendment is to be proposed which would make Buddhism the official religion of Sri Lanka. While the amendment would allow for freedom of worship, other religions would be required to be practised "in peace and harmony with Buddha Sasana."

The National Christian Evangelical Alliance of Sri Lanka (NCEASL) also reports an increase in violence against Christians since the Supreme Court ruled against parts of a proposed anti-conversion bill on August 17 (click here). In the latest incidents, two churches in Dematagoda were disrupted by mobs led by Buddhist monks on September 26. In both instances, church members were verbally abused and threatened, and documents were taken from the church. On September 17, a pastor in Kiribathgoda was surrounded by a mob and beaten with oars.

Pray that violence against Christians in Sri Lanka will subside and that legislative proposals to ban religious conversions and seal Buddhism as the official religion will fail. Pray for Christian leadership in Sri Lanka, as they endeavour to lead the Church through this challenging time.

The October edition of VOM's monthly newsletter features an article on the difficulties facing Christians in Sri Lanka. A 35-minute video documentary filmed on location is in the final stages of production and will be available shortly from The Voice of the Martyrs. To subscribe to our free monthly newsletter, click here.

For more information on persecution of the Church in Sri Lanka, click here.

  • Current Ministry Projects

    VOMC supports persecuted Christians in Sri Lanka as they witness for Christ in hostile environments through Biblical training, legal aid, and advocacy, as well as rehabilitation and emergency assistance.

    Project Funds: Equipping the Saints, Legal Defence, Relief & Development, Families of Martyrs

  • Country Information

    Population
    23,326,272 (2023 est.)

    Ethnicity (%)
    Sinhalese (74.9), Sri Lankan Tamil (11.2), Sri Lankan Moors (9.2), Indian Tamil (4.2), other (0.5)

    Religion (%)
    Buddhism (70.2), Hinduism (12.6), Islam (9.7), Roman Catholic (6.1), Evangelical Christianity (2.0)

    Leader
    Ranil Wickremesinghe (July 2022)

    Government type
    Presidential republic

    Legal system
    Mixed legal system of Roman-Dutch civil law, English common law, and Jaffna Tamil customary law

    Source: CIA World Factbook

  • Pray for Sri Lanka

    Let's unite our hearts in prayer for those in Sri Lanka who are being persecuted for their faith, thanking God for what He is accomplishing despite the opposition. Ask that His people will be encouraged, strengthened and equipped by the promises of the Bible – the Sword of the Spirit – knowing that He is watching over His Word to perform it (Ephesians 6:17; Jeremiah 1:12). May they not only overcome the strategies of the enemy, but also serve as effective witnesses to those in need of eternal salvation and deliverance from spiritual captivity.

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Sri Lanka News

  • Acts of Vandalism Disrupt Pastors' Convention
    The inside of a church building shows crosses at the back of the stage, two flower arrangements and chairs arranged, ready for a gathering.
    A church building in Sri Lanka.
    Photo: VOMC

    Pastors from the Foursquare Church recently gathered at their denominational campground in the Puttalam District of Sri Lanka for an annual convention. At around 1 a.m. on January 25th, a group of unidentified individuals entered the camp and began vandalizing the property.

    Read more...

  • Church Ordered to Find New Location
    A congregation and a group at the front are worshipping the Lord together, many with their hands raised.
      

    On the morning of December 3rd, police entered the Assembly of God church in the town of Makola, which is located near the Sri Lankan capital of Colombo. The officer in charge questioned whether the service was being conducted legally. Since the believers were in the middle of a worship service, the pastor agreed to report to the police station the next morning.

    Read more...

  • Pastor Arrested for Controversial Remarks
    A strong light shines on a steeple against a dark sky. The image includes the text, ''The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?'' ~ Psalm 27:1

    Pastor Jerome Fernando is the leader of the Glorious Church in Katunayake, Sri Lanka. Along with his regular church ministry role, he also holds evangelistic meetings in various areas of the world. As a prominent religious leader, his messages are heard by many online, as well as by those attending his speaking engagements in person.

    Read more...

  • Christians Assaulted and Threatened
    A large, white church with a cross atop of the steeple.
    A church in Sri Lanka
    Photo: VOMC

    As the pastor of the Good Shepherd Church in the Polonnaruwa district of Sri Lanka seeks to demonstrate the love of Christ to the members of his community, part of his ministry includes overseeing a drug rehabilitation centre in the local village. According to a recent report, a Christian man working at the centre was attacked on June 16th by two opposing villagers, resulting in abrasions on his neck. The perpetrators also threatened to "break the church."

    Read more...

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Sri Lanka Videos

 
Sri Lanka: Is There Really Freedom of Religion
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Raising a Voice for the Persecuted: An Interview with Roshini Wickremesinhe, the Executive Director of the Religious Liberty Partnership
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Sri Lanka: Easter Bombing 2019
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Sri Lanka: Persecution in Paradise
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Sri Lankan church attacked
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