Anti-Conversion Bill Gains Support

In the past two weeks, there have been new developments regarding a proposed anti-conversion bill in Sri Lanka. Previously, the bill was introduced by a relatively minor minister. However, a senior cabinet minister with significant influence, the Minister of Buddhism and Legal Reform, W.J.M. Lokubandara, has now taken up the cause, stating that he will be presenting the bill to parliament.

According to an August 14 report from the Evangelical Alliance of Sri Lanka, over the past few years, various decisions by Sri Lanka's Supreme Court have led to a situation where the freedom to promote ones religion has been seriously undermined. Last week the court ruled against the incorporation of a Roman Catholic ministry, ruling that while it was permissible under the country's Constitution for a person to manifest, observe and practice ones religion, it does not guarantee a fundamental right to propagate religion. Article 9 of the Constitution guarantees Buddhism the foremost place and the court ruled that an organization intending to spread Catholicism is inconsistent with that guarantee.

According to Minister Lokubandara, this court decision gives the legal backing to stop "this kind of unethical conversion activity carried out in the name of religion." Similar decisions refusing incorporation were made against Sahanaye Doratuwa ministry in 2002 and New Harvest Wine Ministries in January 2003, ruling that incorporation of a Christian organization that proposes to carry out proselytization of the Christian faith is unconstitutional. The charge of "unethical conversion" is so commonly leveled against evangelical churches in Sri Lanka that it has become synonymous with any conversion.

Christian organizations and churches in Sri Lanka are concerned about the precedent that these court decisions will set in forming a foundation for the proposed anti-conversion bill. Pray that the courts and government of Sri Lanka will reconsider and see the importance of true freedom of religion. Pray for Christians facing increasing pressure by the government, the courts, and Buddhist organizations throughout the country.

The Voice of the Martyrs asks Christians from around the world to write to the president and prime minister of Sri Lanka, urging them to resist anti-conversion legislation on the grounds that it would restrict religious freedom and violate the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

President:
Her Excellency President Chandrika Kumaratunga
Presidential Residence
Colombo 3
Sri Lanka
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Honorable Ranil Wickremesinghe, Prime Minister of Sri Lanka
No.58, Sir Ernest de Silva Mawatha
Colombo 7
Sri Lanka
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

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  • 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

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Sri Lanka News

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    Photo: VOMC 

    In July, a complaint against the Jesus Jeewamanai Revival Church in Polgahawela was issued by some villagers and Buddhist leaders who opposed the worship services that were taking place at the pastor's home. In response, police requested that the church restrict the number of people attending the gatherings, particularly by limiting participants who were visiting from outside of the community, until guidance was received from the authorities on how to handle the situation. For more information about this incident, go to this report.

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  • Church Building Pelted with Stones; Worshippers Restricted Access
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    A group of Christians praying together.
    Photo: VOMC
     

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  • Arrests During House Church Construction
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    On June 13th, the pastor of God's Kingdom Gospel Church in Kandapola, Sri Lanka, was constructing a house church building, together with the support of other pastors and church leaders, when he was approached by a junior manager. The pastor was questioned by the manager as to whether or not the Christians had permission to build a church.

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    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.

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