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Sri Lanka

• Pastor Assaulted in Ampara

  The pastor of a Methodist church was attacked by three members of the Department of Civil Defense in the village of Uhana in Ampara district at approximately 4:40 p.m. on June 23, according to a June 24 report from the National Christian Evangelical Alliance of Sri Lanka. The men accosted him while he was walking home from a church meeting and asked him to accompany them to a house to speak with people who were interested in Christianity. Sensing it was a trap, the pastor requested that these individuals come to his church and talk with him there. The men then beat him and threatened him against returning to the village. The pastor was hospitalized with serious injuries to his head and nose.

  Pray for healing for the injured pastor. Pray that he and other Christians in Ampara will remain faithful to the task that God has given them at all cost (I Peter 5:1-4).

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

• Christian Girl Beaten by Fellow Students in Middeniya

  A Christian girl was attacked by her classmates following an anti-Christian meeting held in a mostly Buddhist school in the village of Middeniya, Hambantota district on June 17, according to a June 17 report from the National Christian Evangelical Alliance of Sri Lanka. After a speech by the principal warning students not to go to church, a group of students beat the Christian girl.

  Ask God to heal and comfort the Christian girl who, at last report, was too afraid to return to school. Ask God to strengthen Christians in Sri Lanka to stand in God's grace in the midst of civil war and opposition (1 Peter 5:12).

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

• Priest Killed in a Claymore Mine Attack

  Father M.X. Karunaratnam Photo from TamilEelam News Services

  Father M.X. Karunaratnam, the Chairman of the North East Secretariat on Human Rights in Sri Lanka, was killed in a claymore mine attack in the region of Vanni, near the Kushanthai Jesus Church, at approximately 12:30 p.m. on April 20, according to an April 29 report from the National Christian Evangelical Alliance of Sri Lanka. Father Karunaratnam frequently spoke on behalf of human rights of the civilian population in the northeast of the country, and also provided counseling to those affected by the civil war and the Tsunami.

  Pray that those who mourn for Father Karunaratnam will find strength, comfort and peace in Christ. Ask God to raise up other servants of the Gospel to continue His work in Sri Lanka (Matthew 9:38).

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

• Update on Widow of Martyred Pastor

  The health of Mrs. Shiromi Edirisinghe, widow of the late Pastor Neil Edirisinghe, who sustained gunshot injuries in the attack that killed her husband on the February 17 (click here for more details), continues to improve. According to a March 24 update from the National Christian Evangelical Alliance of Sri Lanka, Shiromi is now able to breathe without the aid of a ventilator and is also able to eat and speak. She continues to be in need of prayer for recovery, however, as she is due to undergo a serious operation to remove a bullet that is lodged close to her spine. She has been transferred to the Kandy Hospital for the procedure. At present her left leg is immobile. Her left arm is also immobile and the bullet wound on it has not yet healed.

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

• Update on the Widow of Murdered Pastor

  Pastor Neil Edirisinghe Photos fromNCEASL

  Mrs. Shiromi Edirisinghe, widow of the late Pastor Neil Edirisinghe, who sustained gunshot injuries in the attack that killed her husband on the February 17 (click here for more) still remains in critical condition, according to a March 14 update from the National Christian Evangelical Alliance of Sri Lanka. She has regained consciousness but is still unable to breathe on her own. Pray for the continued recovery of Shiromi and her son.

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

• Violence Against Christians

  Several Christians were beaten and threatened in Sri Lanka in recent weeks, according to a March 4 report from the National Christian Evangelical Alliance of Sri Lanka.

  On February 17, a mob of approximately 50 people armed with rods attacked members of The King's Revival Church in the district of Mathugama, Kaluthara while they were returning from a Sunday worship service. Four believers were assaulted, including a child. The assailants also threatened the believers who belonged to the Tamil ethnic community that they would be imprisoned if they returned to the church. A week later, on February 24, group of individuals armed with gardening tools gathered on the road near the church building. They threatened the believers with violence and prevented them from attending the scheduled worship service.

  On March 2, ten students were beaten by a group of masked men on motorcycles while they were walking from the Lunuwila Railway to their school, the Believers' Church Bible College in Putlam District. Then more attackers arrived in a van and dragged a student inside the vehicle and severely beat him. When one of the students ran to the college for help, he was followed by a motorcyclist who attacked the college security guard and fled.

  Pray that as persecution increases in Sri Lanka, believers will find strength in Christ (2 Corinthians 1:5). Pray that persecutors throughout Sri Lanka will be challenged by the consistent testimony of Christ's followers and be drawn to Him.

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

• Pastor Killed in Ampara

  Pastor Neil Edirisinghe (37) of the House Church Foundation was gunned down by two assailants outside his house in Ampara, Sri Lanka on February 17, according to a report from the National Christian Evangelical Alliance of Sri Lanka (NCEASL). Pastor Edirisinghe was engaged in the Lord's ministry in Ampara for many years. The attackers also shot his wife Shiromi (31) in the stomach. At last report, she was in the hospital in critical condition. Their two-year-old son who received a minor injury in the attack is also suffering from trauma. Information received by NCEASL indicated that the murder of the pastor was a contract killing done by people angry with his gospel ministry, which had led to the conversion of a prominent local person. The police have arrested four people, including two members of an auxiliary force and a businessman, in connection with the murder.

  Pray for the Lord's peace and comfort for Pastor Edirisinghe's family (2 Cor. 1:4-7). Pray for the recovery of his wife and child. Pray that they will know the Lord as their Father.

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

• Christians Accused of Destroying Buddha Statues

  Three Christians, Pastor Suresh Ramachandran, Pastor Christian Velu Selvarajah and Stephen Thomas, were arrested on charges of destroying two roadside Buddha statues in Ukelipitiya and Thalathuoya, Kandy District on May 27, according to a May 31 report from the National Christian Evangelical Alliance of Sri Lanka. Ramachandran, who is also the principal of the Mt. Carmel Theological College, was released on May 28 after providing the police with a valid alibi. Buddhists angered by his release held demonstrations outside the college and Ramachandran has since received several threats. Selvarajah and Thomas, who deny the charges, are still in police custody. A hearing is scheduled for June 7.

  Pray that the truth will come out in this situation and that the charges against these Christians will be dropped. Pray that Sri Lankan Christians facing persecution will not give in to fear but continue to trust in God (2 Timothy 1:7).

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

• Pastor and Three Others Missing

  A pastor of the Gospel Missionary Church in the town of Vavuniya and three other men have been missing since March 2, according to a March 6 report from the National Christian Evangelical Alliance of Sri Lanka (NCEASL). Pastor Victor Emmanuel Yogarajan (51) disappeared while on a trip to Colombo with his two sons, Daniel (22) and David (20), and other young man, Joseph Sugandakumar (20). All four of them were last seen leaving a house in Negombo for a bus stop, assumedly en route to Colombo.

  The deaths and disappearances of Sri Lankan church leaders have been increasing at an alarming rate following the renewed outbreak of civil war between the Sri Lankan government and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam. (For more information on this disturbing persecution trend visit our weblog).

  Ask God to bring His peace to this troubled country. Pray for the protection of Sri Lankan Christians as they lovingly and boldly proclaim the gospel (Ephesians 6:18-20). Pray that those who persecute will come to repentance and see the truth and mercy of the Lord.

  For more information on persecution facing Christians in Sri Lanka,click here.

• Christians Caught in the Crossfire

  Christians in Sri Lanka are increasingly being specifically targeted in Sri Lanka's renewed civil war, according to a report by Compass Direct released on February 20.  According to Compass Direct, "Since hostilities resumed in earnest last year, churches on the Jaffna Peninsula have provided shelter to hundreds of internally displaced people (IDPs), prompting retaliatory raids by the Sri Lankan army." One source, who preferred to remain anonymous, told Compass Direct, "One wonders if the attacks on churches are just a coincidence, or an attempt by the government to warn the clergy not to give protection to these defenseless people." The same source said that those speaking out for IDPs were often silenced by intimidation or "elimination," often in the form of unexplained disappearances. You can read the full report on VOMC's weblog page.

  Please pray that peace will be restored to the nation of Sri Lanka .  Pray for courage for those who are speaking up for those who have been displaced by the war.  Pray that international pressure can be brought to bear on both sides to stop their intimidation of churches who seek to represent the Prince of Peace in the midst of violence.

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