Tags
Sri Lanka
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Church Burned
A small rural church in the Anuradhapura district of Sri Lanka has been facing harassment from local Buddhist monks for several months. While the government has stepped in to try to assist, the problems have persisted, including a protest rally against the church on February 16, demanding that the church close.
According to an April 1 report from the National Christian Evangelical Alliance of Sri Lanka, the Apostolic Church of Padhavi Siripura was set on fire during the night of March 27, completely destroying the building. There were no injuries and no witnesses.
Anuradhapura is a traditional Buddhist stronghold, attracting pilgrims from around the world. Pray for the pastor, Shantha Kumara Fernando, and the small group of believers. Pray for wisdom, protection, and the boldness to continue to proclaim the Gospel for those who minister in Buddhist strongholds in Sri Lanka.
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Pastor Stabbed and Left for Dead
On March 18, Pastor Sumith Gunasekera of Margaya Church in Embilipitiya was taken from his home by three men claiming to be police. According to a March 25 report from the National Christian Evangelical Alliance of Sri Lanka, Pastor Sumith was taken to a nearby cemetery where he was stabbed and left for dead. Miraculously, he managed to drag himself home and was rushed to hospital where he remained unconscious for several days. Pastor Sumith's family has since been taken to a location away from the village for their safety. A complaint was lodged with the local police, but no action has yet been taken.
Pray for a quick healing for Pastor Sumith. Pray for protection and safety for his wife and children.
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A Call for Anti-Conversion Legislation
The call to introduce anti-conversion legislation in Sri Lanka has been around for many years, particularly in the face of rapidly growing evangelical Christianity in regions of this predominantly Buddhist country. Until now, there has been no action from the federal government. However, according to a report received from the Evangelical Alliance of Sri Lanka, legislation modeled after a new anti-conversion law in Tamil Nadu, India is set to be introduced in Sri Lanka's parliament. The proposal has the support of Buddhist, Hindu, and some Catholic groups.
In November 2002, Sri Lanka's Hindu Cultural Affairs Minister, Mr. Maheshwaran, returned from Tamil Nadu promising to introduce legislation similar to that in Tamil Nadu. Since the government's official response has been silence, it is expected that the proposal will be introduced as a private member's bill. It is feared that the introduction of such a bill may be supported by many in the parliament.
Pray that this proposed legislation will not be introduced. Pray for protection for Christians facing persecution, particularly from militant Buddhist groups in the country. Pray especially for church planters working in Buddhist areas of Sri Lanka, that God would bless their ministry in the face of much opposition.
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Christian Family Brutally Attacked
For the past year, a Christian family in the remote village of Kirimetimulla in southern Sri Lanka had been facing intimidation and threats from those trying to force Mrs. Indrani Abeysinghe (49) to stop holding worship services in her home. According to a report received this week from the National Christian Evangelical Alliance of Sri Lanka, around midnight, December 26, 2002, a mob of 10-15 hooded men smashed the windows of her home, forced their way in, and assaulted her sons while Indrani and her daughter hid. One son, Suranga (28) received a serious head wound when he was struck by the sharp edge of the mammoty (a spade used by Sri Lankan farmers).
While a complaint has been filed with the police, no one has been identified because of the disguises. Indrani has left her home and is now living with friends near the capital city of Colombo. She is determined to continue her ministry, but her children fear for her life. Suranga, has been discharged from the hospital.
Please pray for Indrani, her children and those who had been meeting in her home. Pray also for workers throughout Sri Lanka facing similar difficulties. Pray for Indrani's attackers, that they may see the grace of God and turn to Him. To read the full report, click here.
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Christmas Day attack on AOG house church in Kirimetimulla Akuressa Police Division (Southern Province)
The remote village of Kirimetimulla is typical of the Southern villages of Sri Lanka; firm in its commitment to a Buddhist heritage dating back two thousand years. Mrs. Indrani Abeysinghe (aged 49) is a native of Kirimetimulla. She accepted Jesus Christ as an adult, while living away from the village. During the mid 90's she returned to her home in the village with her four children. From 2001, her house was used for conducting worship services on Sundays. This house Church is attended by about 20 believers.
On the 17th of January 2002, Indrani received a threatening letter from a group claiming to be the youth of the village, giving her an ultimatum to stop holding services in her home. She chose to ignore the warning and the services continued. Soon after, her home was stoned one night. The only damage was a broken window. The house church continued to meet. On 8th May 2002, she received another letter threatening her and other inmates of her home with death and the demolition of her home if she continued to use her home for Christian worship or activities. Indrani ignored this letter too. There was no disturbance and the services continued as before.
On Christmas Day 2002, the Christmas service was attended by the believers. Indrani's four adult children who lived in Colombo were home for Christmas. Many of the villagers (Buddhists) visited her home during the day to enjoy a meal. It was almost mid night when the tired but happy family turned in for the night. Indrani was fast asleep when she was awoken by the sound of loud gruff voices and banging on her front door. She switched on the light in her room, but nothing happened. (It was later that they discovered that the electricity supply to their house had been cut off). The voices getting louder with murderous threats; Indrani could hear the sound of shattering glass as all the windows in her home were being broken down. Fearing for her daughter's safety, she ran in to her daughter's room and closed the door behind her. Even in the dark, she could make out the shattered windows and broken glass covering the floor. She could also hear the sound of her sons trying to hold the back door, which was being forced open. All that Indrani could do was pray to the Lord, calling on the name of Jesus.
There was chaos and confusion as Indrani's sons tried their best to hold the intruders back, groping in the dark. The eldest son was holding the back door shut preventing the mob from entering the house. A voice from outside called out to shoot the door down. In fear of being shot, he let go of the door. The mob pushed through wielding clubs and shining flashlights in their faces. Through the blinding lights all the sons could see were silluettes of hooded men. The attackers lost no time in assaulting the sons. They were particularly brutal to Indrani's second son, 28 year old Suranga. The force of the blows threw him across a bed. He was unable to get up or defend himself any further as the mob beat him up with clubs. A flashlight was shining in his face and he could just make out a gun trained on his head. Suranga's attention was on the gun - he expected it to go off any moment. He did not see the sharp edge of the mammoty (a spade used by Sri Lankan farmers) coming at his forehead until it was too late. Suranga must have lost consciousness... the mob decided to leave, assuming that he was dead.
Indrani could hear the sounds of violent blows and the cries of her sons. But she did not want to expose her daughter to danger. She held on to the door with all her might as someone tried to force open the door of her daughter's room. She knew that she was no match to the strength of several men. Suddenly the assault on the door ceased. A miracle that saved Indrani and her daughter.
After the mob left, a neighbour came to their aid. Until this time the house had been surrounded by some members of the gang, chasing away any of the neighbours who heard the family's cries for help and came to help or investigate. The mob had in total numbered 10-15. They wore masks to hide their identity. The neighbourhood streetlights too had been switched off during the attack and there are reports of three-wheeler taxies parked up the road for a quick get-a-way.
Suranga was taken to the Matara hospital in the morning (they were afraid to travel by night). He was hospitalized for treatment of a severe head injury, which required about 8 stitches. The other sons were treated for minor injuries. Indrani has lodged a complaint with the Akuressa police (entry number 217/329 of 26th December 2002). She and her family cannot identify any of the attackers and she is unable to name any suspects. The Police are conducting inquiries, but the lack of information on suspects is hampering investigations. It is probable that the attackers were hired goons from another village. The attack has all the marks of a well planned and organized attack.
Indrani has left her home and is now living with friends in a city close to Colombo. Although visibly shaken and traumatized, she is determined to continue her ministry, but her children fear for her life. Suranga, thank God, has recovered to some degree and has been discharged from the hospital.
Please pray for Indrani, her children and the believers of the area. Pray also for other workers who minister in similar difficult areas.
