For the past three months, the Assembly of God Church in Kesbewa, Sri Lanka, has been subjected to threats and attacks, including broken windows and bottles of burning oil thrown into the church building. In response, the church has made sure that someone is at their building at all times to guard it. VOM learned today from the Evangelical Alliance of Sri Lanka that, on the night of August 14, Pastor Kumara and two other church members were keeping watch when two motorcycles stopped and four men in black dismounted. Pastor Kumara heard one of them say, "paththu karannna" (light it) and, fearing that the church building was about to be set on fire, shouted and ran toward the men along with one of the church members, Narada. As the men ran away, one of them threw a homemade bomb, which exploded, badly injuring Narada. The pastor escaped with only minor wounds.
A police investigation has begun and an inquiry is scheduled for August 22. According to the pastor, the main suspect in orchestrating this and the other attacks is the Kamburupitiya Chief Buddhist Monk, who wields considerable power in the community. In September 2002, the monk visited the church and threatened the pastor and members with death. The police have summoned him several times in connection with previous incidents at the church, but he has refused to speak with them. It is reported that he has been ordered to appear at the inquiry on August 22.
Pray for Pastor Kumara and the church members as they continue to minister in the face of increasing opposition. Pray also for a fast recovery for Narada. The October edition of The Voice of the Martyrs newsletter will be focusing on the rising persecution of Christians in Sri Lanka. Go to https://www.vomcanada.com/nlonline.htm to subscribe.
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