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Sri Lanka

• Pray for Christians in India and Sri Lanka

  Two VOM staff members recently returned from India and Sri Lanka, where they met with partners and visited with persecuted Christians in need of prayer as they serve Christ amid great opposition. In India, reports of violence against believers, village churches being destroyed, and church leaders being threatened by local Hindus continue to be a daily reality. Converts to Christianity are often cast out of their families, denied inheritance rights and face poverty and ostracism. In Sri Lanka, Christians often face opposition from militant Buddhists intent on ridding the nation of Christianity. Churches have been burned, believers beaten and Christian leaders killed.

  Pray for lasting fruit from the time VOM staff spent in India and Sri Lanka as projects are developed. Pray that the suffering believers they met with will look to the Lord for encouragement. Pray also that VOM will be effective in equipping Canadian Christians to understand the situation facing Christians in India and Sri Lanka and stand in solidarity with them.

  You can learn more about the trials facing Christians in India by visiting theIndia Country Report. You can also stay informed about persecution facing Christians in Sri Lanka by visiting theSri Lanka Country Report.

• Mob attacks church

  The charred shell of the parish priest's car UCAN Photo

  Approximately 200 suspected Buddhists armed with weapons stormed the Our Lady Rosa Mystica Church building in Croos Watta, Sri Lanka on December 6. The assailants destroyed construction materials and the interior of the building. They also attempted to attack the priest. He was able to escape the scene unharmed, but his vehicle was torched in the violence. As word spread of the attack, approximately 500 local believers blocked the nearby main road in protest, demanding that police arrest the culprits. At last report, one arrest had been made. Local Christians believe the attack was due to the growing number of believers in the area and the recent resumption of a construction project to expand the church. Last year, the Supreme Court overturned a police decision to ban the construction. The church has been attacked twice in recent years by suspected Buddhist militants -- once in 2006 and again in 2007. (Source: Union of Catholic Asian News)

  Thank the Lord that no one was injured in the attack. Pray that these church members will exemplify the love of God through consistent love and prayer for those who persecute them (Matthew 5:43-48).

  For more information about the suffering of God's children in Sri Lanka, go to theSri Lanka Country Report.

• Church attacked by Buddhists

  On the afternoon of November 5, approximately 200 members of the Buddhist-led party Jathika Hela Urumaya attacked the Jesus Never Fails Good News Centre in Koswatta, Sri Lanka. The attackers hurled stones at the building, damaging the exterior, windows, air conditioning units and gate. They also threatened to kill Pastor Joseph, accusing him of unethical conversions and demanding that he stop conducting healing services. The violence was in response to an October 31 open air healing service led by Pastor Joseph, after which two women died. A spokesman for the church said the women attended the service out of their own free will and later died in hospital. (Source: National Evangelical Alliance of Sri Lanka)

  Pray for endurance of faith for victims of this attack. Ask the Lord to work in the hearts of those targeting Sri Lankan believers so that they will repent and come to faith in Him. Pray that Christians in Sri Lanka will continue to share the news of God's grace.

  For commentary on this story and a video of the attack, click here. For more information on the challenges facing Sri Lanka's Christians, click here.

• Pastor assaulted

  A pastor of a church in Polonnaruwa district, North Central Province was brutally attacked at approximately 10:30 p.m. on June 23, according to a recent report from the National Christian Evangelical Alliance of Sri Lanka. The pastor was driving home from a prayer meeting when a group of men on motorcycles called out to him. When he stopped his vehicle and rolled down his window, the assailants attacked him with knives. He was able to prevent them from slashing his neck but sustained severe arm injuries. His vehicle was also damaged. The pastor eventually fled the scene and sought help.

  Pray for healing for the injured pastor. Ask God to bless the ministry of Christian workers spreading the Gospel in Sri Lanka amid opposition.

  For more information on the challenges facing Sri Lanka's Christians,click here.

• Church robbed, pastor threatened

  Methodist church building in Dehiwela Photo from The Sunday Times

  A church was robbed and a pastor threatened in Sri Lanka in recent weeks, according to reports from the National Christian Evangelical Alliance of Sri Lanka and Compass Direct.

  On the evening of April 5, a gang of unidentified assailants broke into a Methodist church building in the city of Dehiwela, Colombo district. Musical instruments, Bibles, hymn books and church documents, including baptism and marriage records, were stolen.

  On April 8, four Buddhist militants gathered outside Pastor Padeep Kumara's home in the town of Weeraketiya, Hambanthota district. They demanded that he come outside and threatened to kill him. Pastor Kumara's wife, who was home with their two children, phoned her husband, but by the time he arrived home the militants had fled. Later that evening, the leader of the militant group phoned the pastor several times and threatened to kill him if he did not leave the village by morning. He then returned to the pastor's house and threatened him with violence. When the police arrived, the leader was arrested. He was released the following day and drew up a petition along with other local Buddhists against Pastor Kumara's church. The Buddhists also threatened the owner of the pastor's home with violence if he did not evict the family. The pastor's children have since been moved to a new location for safety.

  Ask God to protect and encourage Pastor Kumara and his family. Pray that the perpetrators of these attacks will come to repentance and salvation. Ask God to enable Sri Lankan Christians to remain steadfast in the face of suffering (Revelation 2:10).

  For more information on the persecution of Christians in Sri Lanka,click here.

• Religious liberty organizations call attention to Sri Lankan crisis

  Key organizations that work on religious liberty issues around the world made strong statements on the state of religious freedom in the midst of the civil war in Sri Lanka and launched a global campaign calling for prayer for that nation. In what is being called "The Toronto Statement," the Religious Liberty Partnership (RLP), with member organizations that include Open Doors International (Holland), Christian Solidarity Worldwide (United Kingdom), The Voice of the Martyrs (Canada), HMK (Switzerland) and the Religious Liberty Commission of World Evangelical Alliance (representing 128 countries), is calling the worldwide Christian community to pray for the crisis in Sri Lanka.

  The Toronto Statement acknowledges some positive elements within Sri Lanka, including the role that the church is playing, but expresses deep concern about the ways in which humanitarian efforts are currently being handled. In addition, the Statement calls on the worldwide church to pray for work toward the religious rights of all Sri Lankans, and to support efforts to end hostilities and seek an enduring peace.

  "This is yet another example of the Christian family worldwide standing together and calling its members to pray into a complex, but very serious political situation," stated Mervyn Thomas, CEO of Christian Solidarity World, UK and Chairman of the Religious Liberty Partnership. "The Toronto Statement is in full accord with the RLP's reputation for taking a balanced approach in these issues and we trust that this call to prayer will be heeded by Christians globally."

  "I believe this Statement captures the heart of what the RLP is about," said Anthony Rhodes of The Voice of the Martyrs (Canada) and member of the RLP Leadership Team. "Not only are we able to work together as individual organizations, but with a united voice speak to the issues that affect religious liberty. We pray that this collective global voice will be able to give clear direction to the government officials we petition and influence positive change in the countries like Sri Lanka where religious liberty is threatened."

  The Religious Liberty Partnership (RLP) is a collaborative effort of Christian organizations in over a dozen countries focused on religious liberty. The RLP seeks to more intentionally work together in addressing advocacy and in raising the awareness of religious liberty issues globally. To view the entire Toronto Statement, click here.

  For detailed updates on the opposition facing Christians in Sri Lanka, go to theSri Lanka Country Report.

• Violence against Christians

  On March 25, a pastor and church worker were attacked by a man armed with a machete, according to a March 27 report from the National Christian Evangelical Alliance of Sri Lanka. The armed man barged into the Vineyard Community Church in the city of Pannala, North Western Province and slashed the men. Both believers sustained serious injuries. Local church members suspect the assailant previously burned the church's electricity meter and attacked the caretaker. At last report, no arrest had been made.

  During the past three months, members of the Assembly of God church in the town of Bulathkohupitiya, Sabaragamuwa Province have faced threats and intimidation from local villagers and Buddhist monks. The congregation is also being monitored. A petition for the church's closure has reportedly been sent to the Ministry of Religious Affairs. As a result of the tension, many church members have been unable to meet together for worship.

  Ask God to strengthen and heal those injured. Pray that suffering Christians in Sri Lanka will stand strong in faith and not give in to fear. Pray that their faithfulness will be a light that draws others to Jesus (Matthew 5:14-16).

  For more information on the persecution of Christians in Sri Lanka,click here.

• Update: Sri Lanka defers anti-conversion bill debate

  VOMC was pleased to learn that the debate on a religious-conversion bill in Sri Lanka's parliament (read the story) has been deferred amid opposition from Christians. According to UCA News, a parliamentary committee comprised of Christian parliamentarians and leaders of political parties examined the bill on February 18 and agreed that it could have serious consequences on religious activities, spark interreligious conflict and possibly violate the country's constitution.

  Pandu Bandaranayake, the Minister of Religious Affairs, confirmed Christians have called for more clarity on some words in the bill and so, despite opposition from the Buddhist-led party, Jathika Hela Urumaya (JHU), the bill will be re-examined by the Ministry's religious consultative committee.

  Continue to pray for Christians in Sri Lanka, as it is believed that this relief will be only temporary and that there will be considerable pressure by the JHU to bring back the bill virtually unchanged for debate.

  The March edition of The Voice of the Martyrs Newsletter has several articles featuring the persecution facing Christians in Sri Lanka. Subscribe to the Newsletter today. To learn more about the opposition facing Christians in Sri Lanka,click here.

• Update: Christians lobby against anti-conversion bill

  Within the next month, the draft bill entitled "Prohibition of Forcible Conversion of Religion" is to be taken up in the Parliament of Sri Lanka for debate, final reading and a vote (click here for more). On January 6, the All Ceylon Buddhist Congress launched a report that contained highly inflammatory and false accusations against the Christian community in an attempt to bolster support for the repressive legislation. The National Christian Evangelical Alliance of Sri Lanka, a VOMC partner, is urging immediate attention in advocating against the proposed anti-conversion bill. To download a sample lobbying letter, click here. To view a copy of the anti-conversion section of the bill, click here.

  To learn more about the ongoing opposition facing Christians in Sri Lanka, visit theSri Lanka Country Report.

• Anti-conversion law under review

  On January 6, an anti-conversion bill that has been proposed in various forms in recent years was again presented by the Buddist-led Jathika Hela Urumaya (National Heritage Party) to the Sri Lankan Parliament. The purpose of the bill, which was first presented in 2004 (click here for more), is to "provide prohibition of conversion from one religion to another by use of force or allurement or by fraudulent means." The current legislation no longer contains two clauses that the Supreme Court deemed unconstitutional following challenges from several civil and religious rights groups. However, Christians and other religious minorities remain concerned because the bill, if passed, will introduce serious penalties for those found guilty of "forcibly" converting people, including jail terms, and could violate the right to religion and worship in the country.

  Ask the Lord to intervene so that this legislation will not be passed (Daniel 7:25-26). Pray for wisdom and endurance for those serving Christ in Sri Lanka.

  For more information on the challenges facing Sri Lanka's Christians, go to theSri Lanka Country Report.