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Sri Lanka

  • Christians Accused of Destroying Buddha Statues

    Three Christians, Pastor Suresh Ramachandran, Pastor Christian Velu Selvarajah and Stephen Thomas, were arrested on charges of destroying two roadside Buddha statues in Ukelipitiya and Thalathuoya, Kandy District on May 27, according to a May 31 report from the National Christian Evangelical Alliance of Sri Lanka. Ramachandran, who is also the principal of the Mt. Carmel Theological College, was released on May 28 after providing the police with a valid alibi. Buddhists angered by his release held demonstrations outside the college and Ramachandran has since received several threats. Selvarajah and Thomas, who deny the charges, are still in police custody. A hearing is scheduled for June 7.

    Pray that the truth will come out in this situation and that the charges against these Christians will be dropped. Pray that Sri Lankan Christians facing persecution will not give in to fear but continue to trust in God (2 Timothy 1:7).

    For more information on persecution in Sri Lanka,click here.
  • Pastor and Three Others Missing

    A pastor of the Gospel Missionary Church in the town of Vavuniya and three other men have been missing since March 2, according to a March 6 report from the National Christian Evangelical Alliance of Sri Lanka (NCEASL). Pastor Victor Emmanuel Yogarajan (51) disappeared while on a trip to Colombo with his two sons, Daniel (22) and David (20), and other young man, Joseph Sugandakumar (20). All four of them were last seen leaving a house in Negombo for a bus stop, assumedly en route to Colombo.

    The deaths and disappearances of Sri Lankan church leaders have been increasing at an alarming rate following the renewed outbreak of civil war between the Sri Lankan government and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam. (For more information on this disturbing persecution trend visit our weblog).

    Ask God to bring His peace to this troubled country. Pray for the protection of Sri Lankan Christians as they lovingly and boldly proclaim the gospel (Ephesians 6:18-20). Pray that those who persecute will come to repentance and see the truth and mercy of the Lord.

    For more information on persecution facing Christians in Sri Lanka,click here.
  • Christians Caught in the Crossfire

    Christians in Sri Lanka are increasingly being specifically targeted in Sri Lanka's renewed civil war, according to a report by Compass Direct released on February 20.  According to Compass Direct, "Since hostilities resumed in earnest last year, churches on the Jaffna Peninsula have provided shelter to hundreds of internally displaced people (IDPs), prompting retaliatory raids by the Sri Lankan army." One source, who preferred to remain anonymous, told Compass Direct, "One wonders if the attacks on churches are just a coincidence, or an attempt by the government to warn the clergy not to give protection to these defenseless people." The same source said that those speaking out for IDPs were often silenced by intimidation or "elimination," often in the form of unexplained disappearances. You can read the full report on VOMC's weblog page.

    Please pray that peace will be restored to the nation of Sri Lanka .  Pray for courage for those who are speaking up for those who have been displaced by the war.  Pray that international pressure can be brought to bear on both sides to stop their intimidation of churches who seek to represent the Prince of Peace in the midst of violence.

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

    In the latest of a spate of attacks on Christian churches this month, the Lighthouse Church -- located in Mawatura, Gampola in Kandy District -- was attacked on November 22. According to a November 23 report from the National Christian Evangelical Alliance of Sri Lanka, the pastor and a church worker were inside the building when they heard an explosion and the shattering off glass coming from the front of the building at approximately 8:00 p.m. Rocks shattered the front window and came through the roof. Some of the rocks hit the church worker on the head, causing him to bleed profusely. He was rushed to a local hospital for treatment.

    Pray that the attacks on Christians in Sri Lanka will cease. Ask God to give the church worker healing. Pray that Sri Lankan believers will be encouraged to continue to meet together despite opposition (Hebrews 10:23-25).

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

    Christians continue to experience harassment and violence in various areas of Sri Lanka, according to a November 21 report from the National Christian Evangelical Alliance of Sri Lanka (NCEASL).

    On October 29, the Assembly of God church in Yakkala faced a mob demanding that the church cease holding services (click here for more details). Despite the threats, the church held services the next week unhindered (click here to read more). However, the following Sunday, November 12, mobs gathered on the roads leading to the church. Anti-Christian posters were put up and over one hundred Buddhist protestors, some armed with clubs, prevented the Christians from attending services. The Christians were threatened and verbally abused as the protestors blocked their way. The pastor called the police, but only two officers arrived and were unable to control the crowd. Re-enforcements were then called and the mob eventually disbursed.

    Also on November 12, the Mizpah Prayer Ministry congregation in Nawalapitiya was gathered for worship when a mob disrupted the service and demanded that it stop immediately. The congregation was chased away by the mob, which included twelve Buddhist monks, a member of the local government and two journalists from local newspapers. "We were threatened that if we gathered together for worship again, the building will be flattened," the pastor said. The mob later returned and threatened Christian workers who were still at the church. One was hit with a club and some of the chairs were broken.

    On the same day in Anamaduwa, four members of the Prayer Tower church were returning from a funeral service when they were accosted by several men. The Christians were beaten and had stones thrown at them. When the pastor of the church reported the incident to the police, the attackers accused the church of disturbing the neighbours with their loud worship. The pastor countered their accusations by pointing out that all of the neighbours were Christians and that the worship service was only one hour long each week. The attackers promised to not harass the church members again.

    Pray that Christians in Ski Lanka will be able to meet together without opposition. Pray their passion will draw others to Jesus (Matthew 5:14-16). Ask God to thwart the attempts of those who seek to intimidate believers through violence, threats and destruction.

    For more information on the persecution facing Christians in Sri Lanka,click here.
  • New Attacks on Christians

    On October 23, a church worker and his family at the Vineyard Community Church in the city of Gonawela, Sri Lanka were attacked by five men claiming to be police officers. According to a November 3 report from the National Christian Evangelical Alliance of Sri Lanka (NCEAL), the family was guarding the church building when five men approached at approximately midnight. The five men threatened the family, beat the man with clubs and aggressively shook a child. They also stole a woman's gold necklace, damaged the building's electricity supply and smashed pots and vases. The beaten man sustained serious injuries; he is passing blood with his urine and suffering from severe pain in his lower abdomen.

    A week later, on October 30, the Vineyard Community Church was again attacked, this time by a group of ten men. They unsuccessfully tried to set the building on fire. No one was injured in this attack. 

    In another attack on October 30, the pastor of Calvary Chapel of Lanka in Polhena was accosted by a group of local men at approximately 9:00 a.m. Two or three men beat him while the others looked on. He has been hospitalized for arm injuries.

    Pray that the men suffering physical pain will be strengthened and delivered by the Lord (2 Corinthians 1:9-11). Pray also for their persecutors, that they will come to know Christ (Matthew 5:44).   

    For more information on the persecution of Christians in Sri Lanka,click here.
  • Yakkala Assembly of God Meets Without Incident

    Last week's Persecution & Prayer Alert reported on an attack against Assembly of God church in Yakkala, Sri Lanka. The Buddhist mob demanded that the church cease meeting (for more information, click here). According to a November 7 report from the National Christian Evangelical Alliance of Sri Lanka (NCEASL), the church was able to meet on November 5 without incident. Continue to pray for this church, as they have been facing difficulties and hostilities for a long time.
  • Church Attacked

    While the Assembly of God church in Yakkala, Sri Lanka were meeting for worship on October 29, a group of approximately fifty Buddhists, including four local monks, arrived at the service and demanded that it be cancelled. He was told that as this was a Buddhist village, there was no need for a Christian church. According to a report on October 31 from the National Christian Evangelical Alliance of Sri Lanka, the pastor denied the mob's accusations that he was offering money to induce people to convert to Christianity. To prevent any violence, the pastor reluctantly agreed to cancel the service for that week. The mob demanded that he permanently close the church or face serious consequences. A police report has been made and the authorities are promising protection to the congregation.

    Pray that the authorities will follow through with their promise. Pray that the church will be faithful to continue the ministry the Lord has given them (1 Peter 5:1-4). Pray that they will have God's wisdom in dealing with the accusations of the local Buddhists (James 1:5).

    For more information on the persecution of Christians in Sri Lanka,click here.
  • Prayer Centre Set on Fire

    On the night of October 13, a prayer centre in Hingurakgoda, Sri Lanka was vandalized and set on fire, according to a report from the National Christian Evangelical Alliance of Sri Lanka. The unidentified assailants stole a keyboard, carpet and mats, desecrated the interior of the building with human waste and then lit Bibles and hymnals on fire. The fire did not spread throughout the building. The pastor and his wife, who usually sleep in the building to protect the premises, were gone that day and had left the building unattended.

    Pray that the church in Hingurakgoda will find strength in their circumstances as they wait on the Lord (Isaiah 40:31). Also pray that there will be no further attacks.

    For more information on persecution of Christians in Sri Lanka,click here. You can order "Faith Under Fire: Sri Lanka," an in-depth video report the persecution of Christians in Sri Lanka, through our online bookstore.
  • Orphanage Threatened

    In recent days, posters began appearing in Balana, Sri Lanka demanding that a local orphanage run by the Dutch Reformed Church stop renovation work. The church, however, refused to be intimidated. On August 6, according to the National Christian Evangelical Alliance of Sri Lanka, approximately 200 people forced their way into the premises and began destroying the property. A Buddhist flag was planted on the roof of the facility and the house parents were told that if they did not leave, they would be burned alive. That evening, the house parents fled in fear.

    Pray that the believers in Balana will be able to continue to demonstrate the Heavenly Father's love for the fatherless (Psalm 68:5). Pray that they will know that, in the face of their property loss, they have "better and lasting possessions" (Hebrews 10:36, 37).

    For more information on the persecution facing Christians in Sri Lanka,click here. Video reports on Sri Lanka are available on www.vomcanada.com.

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