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Sri Lanka

  • Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief ends visit to Sri Lanka

    The following is the statement delivered May 12 by the Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief of the Commission on Human Rights, Asma Jahangir, at a news briefing in Colombo following her 2 to 12 May visit to Sri Lanka:

    "First of all, I would like to introduce my responsibility here as Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief. I serve in this capacity as an independent expert, distinct from any United Nations agency, and report to the United Nations Commission on Human Rights on the worldwide situation of freedom of religion or belief. My methods of work include visits to countries of concern for the mandate. These visits are not limited to countries which have a weak record in terms of freedom of religion or belief but include countries where emerging issues may threaten a satisfactory level of religious tolerance.

    A Special Rapporteur visits countries at the invitation of the Governments concerned and I take this opportunity to express my gratitude to the Government of Sri Lanka for its excellent cooperation during the entire duration of the mission.

    I am also aware that I have come to Sri Lanka shortly after the tragic event that have affected your country with the Tsunami. The resilience of Sri Lankans in dealing with their trauma and sufferings is in this regard particularly remarkable.

    During my stay in the country, in addition to Colombo, I have traveled to different locations, including Homagama, Kandy, Batticaloa, Ampara, Jaffna and Killinochi. I have met with a number of Government officials, including the Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Minister of Justice, the Minister of Constitutional Affairs and the Ministers responsible for the different religious communities present in the country. I have also met with representatives of the different political parties as well as with the leader of the opposition. Meetings have been held with representatives of the Buddhist community, including the Most Venerable Udagama Sri Buddharakhitta, representatives of the Hindu, Muslim and Christian communities as well as of smaller religious groups. In Killinochi, I met with representatives of the LTTE. Finally and most importantly, I met with a number of representatives of the civil society, concerned Sri Lankans and members of non-governmental organizations (NGOs).

    The report on my visit to Sri Lanka will be submitted to the Commission on Human Rights after my visit and will include conclusions and recommendations to the Government as well as to the international community. At this stage I am therefore only in a position to share with you some of my preliminary observations.

    During my visit I have noticed that there is a high degree of transparency in the Sri Lankan society, including amongst the government functionaries and the political leadership that I met. They were open to discussion and keen to preserve their culture of religious tolerance. However, I have noticed that certain issues related to the right to freedom of religion are not appropriately addressed. In this regard, I am concerned that inaction or lack of proper attention could lead to numerous misunderstandings and promote a climate of religious intolerance.

    Over the last few years, I have received a number of reports of violent acts of religious intolerance such as the destruction or burning of places of worship. These have been perpetrated against different religious communities and have been widely confirmed by interlocutors from all sides. I have noted that in most cases the perpetrators have not been brought to justice. Moreover, in many cases, the police and other competent authorities appear to have been reluctant to take appropriate actions despite the identification of perpetrators. The inaction of the Government can only embolden the forces of intolerance and paralyzes rational voices. Inability to take appropriate and timely measures in arresting the rising trends of religious intolerance could make political as well as religious leaders a hostage to the very few who take extreme positions. I consider that the reported attacks on places of worship, mostly on churches, constitute clear violations of the right to freedom of religion or belief and the Government has an obligation to prosecute their perpetrators and to compensate the victims.

    During my visit, I have received numerous allegations of organized groups involving in improper or unethical practices to induce individuals to change their religion. While it was not claimed that anyone was coerced to or forced to change his or her religion in a manner that is clearly incompatible with the right to freedom of religion or belief, many of these allegations have remained vague as to the identity or circumstances of the so-called victims. Despite several requests and efforts in this direction, I have been unable to hear direct testimonies of such cases. Nevertheless, second hand accounts by credible sources indicate that conversions through improper means have indeed occurred and certainly raise a concern.

    There were a few reports of incidents of deliberate 'hurt' to religious feelings and of defiling of religious symbols. These are of concern to my mandate and I will be following the outcome of the investigations. I believe that the existing legal provisions in the Penal Code of Sri Lanka are sufficient in dealing with the nature of offences reported to me and urge that these be effectively implemented.

    Moreover, in the same context, there have also been allegations that faith based organizations that have brought humanitarian assistance to Sri Lanka for the victims of Tsunami, have adopted certain methods exploiting the vulnerability of the population. I have also not been able to confirm these allegations by precise and individual cases but a sufficient number of allegations are confirmed by a number of sources.

    I would therefore call on those Sri Lankans and foreigners that are involved in humanitarian and development efforts to respect the guiding principles on humanitarian law. The United Nations General Assembly Resolution 46/182 urges NGOs, religious and missionary organizations to provide aid without espousing any particular religious opinion. A large number of humanitarian workers and organizations have scrupulously observed this principle. They have generously donated and tirelessly worked for the victims of Tsunami but regrettably a few have not strictly observed these guidelines. These are regrettable practices but do not constitute a criminal offence or a clear violation of the right to freedom of religion, as long as such conversions are not carried out under force, pressure or other coercive methods. Nevertheless, they do raise anxiety.

    In response to these religious tensions, some initiatives have led to the introduction of two draft laws that would criminalize acts of 'unethical' conversions. Contrary to what has been often claimed, the content of these drafts as well as the implementation of their provisions do raise concerns under human rights law, including the right to freedom of religion or belief.

    In this respect, I note with some satisfaction that there are in Sri Lanka independent mechanisms and pluralistic as well as democratic traditions. As such Sri Lankans are adequately experienced to resolve emerging religious tensions. The Supreme Court of Sri Lanka in its determination has declared portions of one of these draft Bills as unconstitutional. In my opinion, the provisions of both draft Bills could result in the persecution of religious minorities rather than the protection and promotion of religious tolerance. The enactment of these Bills could seriously undermine the culture of religious tolerance enjoyed for decades in this country. It could impair the religious harmony that this country can rightly be proud of sustaining even through the difficult period of a civil war.

    More essentially, while I could be apprehensive by the relative determination of a few, I have been encouraged by the fact that the important majority of my interlocutors have expressed their willingness to resolve this question through appropriate means".

    For use of information media; not an official record
  • Church Buildings Destroyed in Fire, Mobs Threaten Churches
     
    Just before midnight on April 27, a group of unidentified people broke into the premises of the Kiran Methodist Church in Batticaloa, Sri Lanka.  In the compound were the church building, the home of the pastor, a newly constructed building for relief work and other buildings used for storing relief and reconstruction supplies.

    According to Rev. Dr. Albert W. Jebanesan, the fire began in a store room filled with tsunami relief supplies and spread to the other buildings.  While no one was injured, all the supplies and buildings were destroyed.  When neighbours and the army rushed in to put out the fire, the attackers threw a hand grenade to frighten the people and then fled the area.

    According to a report posted on the website for the Lincoln and Grimsby District of the Methodist Church of Great Britain, the minister had received threats a few weeks earlier, calling on him to stop relief activities.  He was accused of using this relief for religious conversion.  Convinced that this was not true, the pastor did not take the threats seriously.

    Accusations such as those made against the Kiran Methodist Church are common in Sri Lanka and have led to renewed calls for legislation against "forcible conversions" by Buddhist leaders.  The Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief of the Commission on Human Rights, Asma Jahangir, recently completed a visit to Sri Lanka and expressed her concerns at a news conference in Colombo on May 12.  Her complete report is yet to be submitted.  A transcript of her news conferences statement is available online (click here).

    Sunday, May 15 brought threats against three churches as mobs led by Buddhist monks surrounded the buildings, demanding that they permanently close.  In Kesbewa, the pastor received information before the morning service that a protest march was planned.  Police provided security as the congregation met.  This church was completely destroyed in September 2003.  A few months ago, the congregation began meeting in the burnt shell of the building.  Some of those from this protest are also reported to have gone to another church in Homagama and shouted demands that the congregation stop meeting.

    One of the granite Buddhas at the Polonnaruwa citadel
    The morning service of the Assembly of God Church in the Polonnaruwa District of Sri Lanka was also disrupted when a mob of approximately 150 people, led by six Buddhist monks, accused the pastor of offering money for people to convert.  The pastor was warned that if he did not close down the church, there could be bloodshed.  Polonnaruwa is a sacred site for Buddhists, with a citadel dating back to the tenth century.

    Pray for the Kiran Methodist Church as they begin the process of rebuilding.  Pray for Christians throughout Sri Lanka who are facing threats of violence.  Pray for wisdom for Sri Lanka's legislators, as they debate the proposed legislation.

    For more information on the persecution of the Church in Sri Lanka,click here.
  • Anti-Conversion Legislation Referred to Committee Proposed anti-conversion legislation was presented to the Sri Lankan Parliament on May 6 for second reading and has been referred to a Standing Committee.  Under Sri Lankan parliamentary procedure, the bill can be referred to committee in its entirety or selected clauses can be referred.  According to a report from the National Christian Evangelical Alliance of Sri Lanka (NCEASL), it is unclear at this point which clauses have been adopted by parliament.  Following committee evaluation and possible amendments, the law goes back to the Parliament for final reading and a vote.

    This proposed legislation, "Prohibition of Forcible Conversion of Religion," was presented to the Parliament by the opposition Jathika Hela Urumaya (JHU) party; a party composed of Buddhist monks.  Parts of the proposed legislation were rejected in January by the Supreme Court as being unconstitutional. Since it was presented to Parliament without amendment, constitutional amendments will be required to pass the legislation.

    Pray for the Church in Sri Lanka as they work to defeat this legislation.  Pray that the freedom to worship and practice all aspects of religion will be respected in Sri Lanka.

    For more information on the difficulties facing Christians in Sri Lanka,click here. Video reports on Sri Lanka can be viewed on VOM's multimedia website, www.vomcanada.com.
  • Top Buddhist Leader Calls for Anti-Conversion Legislation
    Malwatte Mahanayake, the Venerable Tibbotuwawe Sri Siddhartha Sumangala Thero
    For the first time, the Malwatte Mahanayake, the Venerable Tibbotuwawe Sri Siddhartha Sumangala Thero, has issued a statement calling for the immediate implementation of anti-conversion legislation in Sir Lanka.  According to an April 26 news release from the National Christian Evangelical Alliance of Sri Lanka (NCEASL), the Mahanayake warned that Buddhists are being converted to other religions "at an unprecedented rate" and said that the matter must dealt with urgently.

    These words, from a man carrying a position of great influence in the country, comes as the second reading of the Buddhist JHU Party's "Prohibition of Forcible Conversions" Bill appears slated for May 6.

    Pray that this and other anti-conversion legislation being proposed in Sri Lanka will be rejected.  We encourage Christians to write to Sri Lankan authorities, expressing their concern.  Contact information, as well as a copy of the proposed legislation, can be found at www.srilankanchristians.com.

    The Voice of the Martyrs has produced a 35-minute documentary, "Faith Under Fire: Sri Lanka," filmed on location in Sri Lanka.  The video can be purchased from our website.  Excerpts can be viewed in the Video section of our multimedia website, www.vomcanada.com.

    For more information on the persecution of Christians in Sri Lanka,click here.
  • Second Anti-Conversion Bill Re-Surfaces

    While the government-sponsored "Act for Religious Freedom" is preparing to be introduced shortly, a bill previously rejected by Sri Lanka's Supreme Court has been revived.  In August 2004, a bill introduced by the Buddhist Jathika Hela Urumaya (JHU) party was challenged before the Supreme Court which struck down two of the clauses as unconstitutional.  Rather than re-writing the bill, the bill has been submitted for second reading, scheduled for May 6, without the changes required by the Court.  For the bill to become law, it would require a constitutional amendment, which would need a two-third majority vote by the parliament and a national referendum.

    Godfrey Yogarajah
    With this private member bill proceeding, the status of the government-sponsored legislation is uncertain and may be delayed while the JHU bill proceeds.  International pressure on the Sri Lankan government has been intense.  On April 5, Godfrey Yogarajah, General Secretary of the National Christian Evangelical Alliance of Sri Lanka (NCEASL) made a presentation to a Parallel Session of the UN Human Rights Commission in Geneva. Yogarajah condemned acts of violence against his country's Christian minority and explained the dangerous implications of the two proposed anti-conversion bills.  Answering questions form various delegates Yogarajah stressed that such legislation will result in legitimized persecution and harassment of minority religious groups in Sri Lanka. Yogarajah also met with the UN Special Rapporteur for Religious Freedom, Asma Jahangir, who will be making an official visit to Sri Lanka in May to meet with government officials and leaders of the different religious communities.

    To view the legislation currently before the Sri Lankan parliament, visit the website for SriLankanChristians.Com.  The Voice of the Martyrs urges you to write to the following officials, protesting this information:

    Her Excellency Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga
    President of Sri Lanka
    Presidential Secretariat,
    Secretariat Building,
    Colombo 1
    Sri Lanka
    Phone: 94-11-234801
    Fax: 94-11-2433346 or 94-11-2333703
    Email: for_This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

    Leader of the Opposition
    Hon. Ranil Wickremesinhe
    Office of the Leader of the Opposition
    No 2, Cambridge Terrace,
    Colombo 7
    Sri Lanka
    Phone: 94-11-2575183
    Fax: 94-11-2575183
    Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

    Hon. Mahinda Rajapaksa
    Prime Minister of Sri Lanka
    Temple Trees,
    Colombo 3
    Sri Lanka
    Phone: 94-11-2575317 / 2575318
    Fax: 94-11-2574143 / 2575454 / 2575310
    Email: prime_This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

    Hon. Ratnasiri Wickramanayake
    Minister of Buddha Sasana
    135, Anagarika Dharmapala Mawatha,
    Colombo 7
    Sri Lanka
    Phone: 94-11-2326126 / 2326127
    Fax: 94-11-2424726 / 2437997

    Hon. Milroy Fernando, MP
    Ministry of Christian Affairs
    98, D. S. Senanayake Mawarha,
    Colombo 08.
    Tel : 094-011-2665584/5
    Fax: 094-011-2665584
    E-mail : This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

    The Voice of the Martyrs has produced a 35-minute documentary, "Faith Under Fire: Sri Lanka," filmed on location in Sri Lanka.  The video can be purchased from our website (click here).  Excerpts can be viewed in the Video section of our multimedia website, www.vomcanada.com.

    Pray that the Sri Lankan government and courts will retain freedom of religion in Sri Lanka and that the proposed legislation will be rejected.  Pray for the continuing efforts of the Sri Lankan Church to reach out with the love of Christ as the country continues to rebuild after December's tsunami. 

    For more information on the situation facing Christians in Sri Lanka,click here.
  • Anti-Conversion Legislation to be Introduced Next Month
    Minister of Buddha Sasana, Rathnasiri Wickramanayake
    As the country of Sri Lanka rebuilds following the devastation of December's tsunami, members of diverse religions have been able to work together in harmony to reconstruct their country and incidents of violence against Christians has dramatically decreased.  Despite this, the government of Sri Lanka is reportedly planning to proceed with plans to introduce anti-conversion legislation in April.  An article in the March 18 edition of Sri Lanka's "Daily Mirror" reports that the bill will be presented in Parliament by the Minister of Buddha Sasana, Rathnasiri Wickramanayake and that members of parliament will be allowed to vote according to their conscience, rather than along party lines.

    The bill, if passed, would carry sentences up to five years in prison or a fine up to Rs. 100,000 ($1,200 CDN).  If the offence is committed against a minor, the maximum increases to seven years or Rs. 500,000 ($6,000 CDN).  A copy of the draft legislation presented to cabinet is available from www.srilankanchristians.com. If the legislation passes, there are concerns that even some of the tsunami relief will be seen as proselytism and could result in charges.

    Last fall, The Voice of the Martyrs produced, in partnership with the National Christian Evangelical Alliance of Sri Lanka, a 35-minute documentary on the situation facing Sri Lanka's Christian minority.  A preview of the documentary, "Faith Under Fire: Sri Lanka," can be seen in the Video section of VOM's multimedia website, www.vomcanada.com.  Full-length copies can also be ordered in VHS or DVD format from VOM's online bookstore.

    Pray that this proposed legislation will be rejected.  Pray for Christian leaders, as they lead their churches through this time.  Pray that well-intentioned humanitarian efforts will not be misconstrued as proselytism.

    For more information on issues facing the Sri Lankan Church,click here.  For a discussion on the difference between proselytism and evangelism, click here.
  • Wise as Serpents, Innocent as Doves??

    In the past week, Texas-based Antioch Community Church has received criticism from both within and without Sri Lanka for the evangelistic activities that their teams have engaged in as part of their relief efforts to tsunami victims on the island nation.  Be sure to check out VOM Communications Director, Glenn Penner's weekly weblog commentary, "Wise as Serpents, Innocent as Dove??" as he addresses this thorny issue.

    If you want to know more about the situation facing Christians in Sri Lanka, you may want to log on to VOM's multimedia website www.vomcanada.com and check out the two video clips on the country available in our Video section of the site. It costs nothing to become a member of PersecutionTV, but membership gives you access to many resources that cannot be found anywhere else on the Internet.

    For more information on persecution in Sri Lanka,click here.
  • Proposed Amendment Ruled Unconstitutional
    Sri Lanka's Supreme Court

    With the horrible disaster caused by the December 26 tsunami, eyes of the world have been focused on the physical suffering facing the people of Sri Lanka.  In the midst of the devastation, a positive development has arisen, relating to religious freedom in the country.  On December 8, the Persecution and Prayer Alert reported on a proposed constitutional amendment which would have severely restricted religious freedoms for non-Buddhists in the country.  According to a January 6 report in TamilNet, after the amendment was tabled, the Speaker referred it to the Supreme Court for a determination on its constitutionality.  The Court has determined that some clauses are inconsistent with the present Constitution.  Changing the Constitution to allow this amendment would require a two-third majority vote in parliament and a nationwide referendum.

    Praise God for this ruling and pray that Christians will continue to be free to worship and spread their faith in Sri Lanka.

    For more information on the persecution facing Christians in Sri Lanka,click here.
  • Catholic Church Destroyed
    St. Michael's Church, Homagama - December 2004
    More photos available from the    Archdiocese of Colombo.
    After surviving attacks in November 2003 and mid-January 2004, St. Michael's Church in Homagama, Sri Lanka was virtually destroyed when it was set on fire on December 19.  Using two gas cylinders, petrol and two tires, the arsonists burned the roof, pews, statues, organ and other furniture, completely blackening the interior of the building.  Dad de Silva, a church official, told AP, "Our church is gone this time, nothing is left which is usable."

    As Christmas Day draws near, along with the anniversary of the funeral for a prominent Buddhist leader, Ven. Gangodawila Soma Thero, there are concerns that violence may increase.  On December 13, a hand grenade was also thrown at the Jesus Lives Church in Orugodawatte.  There were no injuries.

    Pray that violence will not increase in the coming days.  Pray for the 130 families now without a church building, with the destruction of St. Michael's Church.  Pray for that Christians will be able to celebrate the birth of Christ in peace in Sri Lanka.

    Earlier this year, representatives from VOM Canada traveled to Sri Lanka to assess the situation.  The resulting video documentary is available through our online catalog.  A preview is available on our multimedia website, www.vomcanada.com.  Registration is required, but membership is free.

    For more information on the continuing persecution of Christians in Sri Lanka,click here.
  • Restrictive Constitutional Amendment Proposed

    After facing the defeat of a proposed anti-conversion law, the JHU party, composed entirely of Buddhist monks, is attempting once again to engrain Buddhism as the state religion and prevent the conversion of Buddhists in Sri Lanka .  The JHU has introduced a constitutional amendment, referred to as the "19th Amendment."  The proposed bill would declare Buddhism as the official religion of Sri Lanka , while allowing other forms of religion to be practiced "in peace and harmony with Buddha Sasana."  Freedom of worship for religions other than Buddhism would be subject to public order and morals; something which could easily be abused to restrict religious freedom.  The amendment would also prohibit converting Buddhists to any other religion as well as spreading other religions among Buddhists.  On December 7, a court petition was heard against the proposal on the grounds that the amendment would infringe on basic human rights.  The court's decision will be given to the speaker of the Parliament by December 16. An evaluation of this proposed amendment is available on the SriLankanChristians.Com website.

    Ven. Gangodawila Soma Thero

    As the December 12 anniversary of the sudden death of Buddhist leader Ven. Gangodawila Soma Thero approaches (Click here for details), there are concerns that the violence seen last December may be repeated.  Christians were widely blamed for his unexpected death during a trip to Russia last December.  While violent attacks and threats against Christians have become less frequent in recent months, incidents do continue to occur.  In a recent example, the pastor of the "Believers' Church" in the village of Kammalawa in Kuliyapitiya faced a crowd of over 100 on the evening of December 2, threatening him if he does not stop holding worship services.  Later that night, the church was attacked with stones, damaging the roof tiles, one door and several windows.

    Pray for the safety of Christians in Sri Lanka .  Pray for the peace of Christ to reign in the hearts of believers facing the uncertainty of this proposed legislation as well as the dangers from those opposed to the Gospel.  Pray for wisdom and direction for church leaders during this time.

    For more details on the difficulties facing Christians in Sri Lanka ,click here. The Voice of the Martyrs has recently produced a 30-minute video documentary, "Faith Under Fire: Sri Lanka " which records the testimonies and challenges facing Sri Lankan Christians.  This documentary is available to order through our online catalog.  A two-minute preview is available in the "What's New" section of our multimedia website, PersecutionTV. 

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