Tensions Surround Death of Buddhist Monk

   On December 23, the Evangelical Alliance of Sri Lanka called on Christians to pray that there would not be an increase in attacks against Christians in the wake of the death of a prominent Buddhist monk Ven. Soma Thero, who passed away while in Russia to accept an honorary degree. While the cause of death was determined to be a heart attack, militant Buddhist groups suspected foul play and some wildly speculated that his death was the result of a Christian conspiracy. Thero was a champion of the Buddhist nationalist movement in Sri Lanka.
Following Thero's funeral on December 24, a riot erupted, with five people severely beaten, one man because he was identified as a Christian.

Ven. Gangodawila Soma Thero

Police increased security for churches, particularly in areas where violence was a particular concern, and some churches cancelled services. On December 28, two churches in Puvakpitiya, 60 km east of Colombo, were attacked by mobs at the close of the worship services. While there were no reports of injuries, there was extensive damage to the buildings. Local police are reported to be questioning fifteen people and expected to make arrests.

Illustrating the rising hatred for Christians by Buddhist militants, posters have begun appearing around Colombo claiming that NGOs (non-governmental organizations) such as World Vision are part of a "diabolical conspiracy" by Christians to convert and corrupt the nation. The posters read "Let's defeat the NGO mafia" and feature pictures of Thero walking with the Sri Lankan army.

Anti-NGO Poster in Colombo Photo:  TamilNET

In response to this tension, the Sri Lanka Daily News reported today that the government will be setting up "religious unity committees" to maintain peace and prevent religious tensions. These reconciliation committees are being set up under the direction of the Ministries of Buddha Sasana, Christian Affairs, Muslim and Hindu Religious Affairs.

In a less positive development, speaking to reporters on December 28, Thiagaraja Maheswaran, Sri Lanka's minister for Hindu religious affairs, said that he had obtained a copy of the anti-conversion legislation passed by the Tamil Nadu government in India and that, "this will serve as a model for the legislation to be passed in our country." Maheswaran expressed concern about the rising number of religious converts to Christianity among the poor. More than seven thousand Hindu families converted to Christianity in the northeast and central provinces of Sri Lanka in the past ten years. The minister seemed to link the conversions with the work of international relief agencies involved in reconstruction work.

Pray for the increasing danger faced by Sri Lankan Christians from both religious militants and possible government legislation. Pray for wisdom for national and local church leaders in Sri Lanka as they seek to provide guidance to believers there. Pray for the work of Christian organizations in Sri Lanka as they face false accusations of proselytism. For an explanation of the difference between proselytism and evangelism, go to https://www.vomcanada.com/faq.htm.