The Overcomers: Sri Lanka

Buddhist nationalists in Sri Lanka have caused concern among Protestant Christians by renewing their calls for anti-conversion laws. For more, watch this one-minute video clip.


Click here to watch more video reports about the persecuted Church. For more on the trials Christians face in Sri Lanka, click here.

Hardliners make new push for anti-conversion laws in Sri Lanka

Buddhist nationalists in Sri Lanka have caused concern among Protestant Christians by renewing their calls for anti-conversion laws, reports our sister mission in the UK, Release International.

The Jathika Hela Urumaya (JHU) party, which has been pushing for legislation banning "forced conversion" since 2004, renewed its campaign in a press statement this month. It called on the government to re-introduce to Parliament the JHU'S Prohibition of Religious Conversions Bill.

Sources inside Sri Lanka say Christians are also concerned about a loosely worded circular from the Ministry of Religious Affairs issued in September which stipulates that building or maintaining places of worship must be sanctioned by prior approval of the Ministry.

According to sources, evangelical churches in particular are facing increased pressure from the state, with "indiscriminate closure and threats." Their applications to register formally are routinely rejected, and there is evidence that planning permission is even being denied for non-church buildings if the applicant is a Christian individual or organization.

Please pray.

• Pray that the JHU's bid to introduce anti-conversion laws in Sri Lanka will fail. 
• Pray that officials will end discriminatory policies which limit the activities of some Christians. 
• Ask God to bless and protect evangelical Christians and pray for all those working for religious freedom in Sri Lanka.

For more information on persecution in Sri Lanka, go to the Sri Lanka Country Report. 

In mailboxes this week!

The December issue of The Voice of the Martyrs newsletter is hitting mailboxes this week and next.

This Year in Review issue includes:

• God’s work in dangerous places: Jesus never promised His people physical safety when doing His work, but He did promise His presence. Read the 2011 year in review, sharing how your gifts have carried out God’s work in some of the most hostile areas for Christians.
• God’s work in Nigeria: A Christian was elected president of Nigeria, and Muslims rioted in the streets, taking out their anger on the Body of Christ. Learn how VOM responded by bringing help and encouragement to the church in Nigeria in the wake of the riots.
• God’s work in India and Sri Lanka: Learn how your gifts helped children whose parents have paid the price for following Christ in these two countries.
• God’s work in Colombia: Parachutes have poured in from our readers, but more is needed. These parachutes are taking the gospel into guerrilla-controlled areas in Colombia and many are coming to Christ.
• Christmas Blessing: Iraq: Don’t miss out on this practical way to help, love and encourage our persecuted family in war-torn Iraq.

The Voice of the Martyrs newsletter is the flagship publication of The Voice of the Martyrs Canada. Published monthly, it is available free of charge to anyone in Canada who requests it.

You can subscribe online here.

Violence against Christians in Sri Lanka

Several Christians were assaulted and threatened throughout Sri Lanka in recent weeks, reports the National Christian Evangelical Alliance of Sri Lanka (NCEASL).

A pastor was assaulted after attending a meeting convened by a Buddhist monk in Ampara District, Eastern Province, on July 10.

During the meeting, which was in regard to land distribution, the pastor was assaulted by the monk and others present. The monk kicked the pastor, resulting in serious injuries to his arm and stomach. The assailants later followed the pastor to his home and continued to verbally abuse him and members of his family.

On July 19, a mob of approximately 50 people attacked the homes of five Christian families in Badulla District in Uva Province.

The assailants threw stones which damaged the roofs and broke windows with clubs and rocks. Some families fled in fear to the jungle and waited for the attack to abate. A grocery shop belonging to one of the families was demolished and goods were stolen. The shop owner was also seriously injured. At last report there were plans to force these Christian families to renounce Christianity or leave the village.

You can help by praying!

• Pray for healing for those injured in these attacks.
• Pray these Christians will not become fearful but will trust the Lord in all things.
• Pray the Lord will continue to make Sri Lankan Christians strong to lovingly and boldly proclaim the gospel amid persecution (Ephesians 6:18-20).

Pastors under attack in Sri Lanka

Pray for believers in Sri Lanka today!

Two pastors were recently attacked in Southern Province, Sri Lanka, reported the National Christian Evangelical Alliance of Sri Lanka.

In early January, a man broke into the home of a pastor in Galle district. The pastor and his family came into the house to find the intruder inside. The man shouted threats at the pastor and began to assault him. Neighbours were alerted to the attack when they heard screaming. When the pastor's elderly landlord arrived, the intruder also attacked him. He then fled. The pastor and the landlord lodged a complaint with the local police against the attacker. He was arrested, but later released with a severe warning and only after he apologized to the pastor and the landlord.

Assailants also broke the windows of an Assemblies of God church building in the city of Middeniya, Hambantota district, on January 23. A complaint has reportedly been filed with local police. The pastor and his family, who were inside at the time of attack, were previously targeted in July 2008, when assailants set their house ablaze, following threats to him and his church.

Pray God's enduring grace will drive out any fear in the hearts of these believers in the face of opposition. Pray they will stand firm in their faith, putting on the full armour of God and praying in the Spirit on all occasions (Ephesians 6:13-18). Pray their attackers will repent of their actions and place their faith in Jesus Christ. Pray Sri Lankan Christians will proclaim the love and truth of Christ with courage, wisdom and compassion.