Mob Disrupts Worship Service

A church in Sri Lanka - Photo: VOM USA www.icommittopray.com/
Photo: VOM USA

As the pastor and congregation of the Christian Family Church in Galgamuwa prepared to begin their Sunday worship service on the morning of February 24th, a mob consisting of around 200 people, led by Buddhist monks, forced their way into the church premises.

Members of the mob demanded that the service stop immediately; one monk even threatening them with death. To further demonstrate their point, they broke chairs and damaged roofing sheets. As they were leaving, one woman was dragged into the street where she was beaten. When police arrived, the pastor and the woman who was assaulted were taken to the police station. When they got to the station, the monks were already there filing a complaint against the pastor for "breaching the peace." Complaints were also filed by the pastor and the assaulted woman who was then admitted to the hospital for treatment.

Incidents of this type are unfortunately common in Sri Lanka where Buddhism is considered by many as part of the nation's culture. To learn more about the persecution of Christians in Sri Lanka, as well as the ways VOMC is assisting them, go to this page.

May the Gospel of Christ continue to permeate the nation of Sri Lanka. Pray that these Christians will continue reaching out with the message of God's love to those around them through both word and deed. Intercede for the injured woman, asking the Lord to heal her completely from the injuries. Pray that the nation's leaders will stand up in defense of the religious freedoms for all their citizens.

  • Current Ministry Projects

    VOMC supports persecuted Christians in Sri Lanka as they witness for Christ in hostile environments through Biblical training, legal aid, and advocacy, as well as rehabilitation and emergency assistance.

    Project Funds: Equipping the Saints, Legal Defence, Relief & Development, Families of Martyrs

  • 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
    President Anura Kumara Dissanayake (Sept 2024)

    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

  • Pray for Sri Lanka

    Let's unite our hearts in prayer for those in Sri Lanka who are being persecuted for their faith, thanking God for what He is accomplishing despite the opposition. Ask that His people will be encouraged, strengthened and equipped by the promises of the Bible – the Sword of the Spirit – knowing that He is watching over His Word to perform it (Ephesians 6:17; Jeremiah 1:12). May they not only overcome the strategies of the enemy, but also serve as effective witnesses to those in need of eternal salvation and deliverance from spiritual captivity.

Sri Lanka News

  • Acts of Vandalism Disrupt Pastors' Convention
    The inside of a church building shows crosses at the back of the stage, two flower arrangements and chairs arranged, ready for a gathering.
    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.