Anti-Conversion Law To Be Introduced

Within the next two weeks, it is expected that an anti-conversion bill will be presented to the Sri Lankan parliament by members of the Jathika Hela Urumaya (JHU) in an apparent attempt to stem the growth of Christianity, particularly among Buddhists. The JHU is a party set up by Buddhist monks with the goals of introducing anti-conversion legislation and promoting Buddhism within Sri Lanka. Once on the parliamentary order paper, the only option available is an appeal to the Supreme Court within seven days. Christian groups, including the National Christian Evangelical Alliance of Sri Lanka, intend to appeal to the Supreme Court, but are skeptical of the possibility of success, in light of recent decisions by the Supreme Court.

A copy of the proposed bill is available here. As a private member bill, it is uncertain if either of the major parties will vote with the JHU. However, if put to a conscience vote, it is expected that the bill would pass.


Minister of Buddha Sasana,
Ratnasiri Wickremanayake

 
If this bill does not pass, the National Christian Evangelical Alliance of Sri Lanka reports that the Minister of Buddha Sasana and former Prime Minister, Ratnasiri Wickremanayake, is expected to introduce three similar anti-conversion bills. As minister, it is expected that those bills would pass even if the JHU sponsored bill is defeated.

Mob violence against Christians in Sri Lanka appears once again to be on the increase in recent weeks. On May 25, a small church building in Navatkerny, Batticaloa District, was destroyed by fire during the night. There are no suspects.

Pray that the proposed law will not be passed in Sri Lanka. Pray for continued strength for Christians in Sri Lanka, as they stand for the Lord in the face of opposition from authorities and Buddhist mobs.

We encourage you to politely express your concerns to the Sri Lankan government about this anti-conversion legislation.

Her Excellency President Chandrika Kumaratunga
Fax: 94-333707 (Please remember international codes from your country)
Email: for_This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Honorable Mahinda Rajapaksa, Prime Minister of Sri Lanka
Email: prime_This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
You can also post questions on his forum (click here).

Contact information for embassies in Canada, USA and UN is available here. For guidelines on writing letters to government authorities, click here.

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

  • 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

  • Church Pressured to Halt Christian Activities
    A church congregation in Sri Lanka
    A congregation in Sri Lanka.
    Photo: VOMC

    Members of the Way to the Comfort Ministry Church in Seethwaka, Sri Lanka, are receiving ongoing demands to cease all Christian activities in their village. On January 26th, Buddhist monks approached the church leadership and insisted that the pastor stop holding worship services, claiming that only Buddhist practices are permitted within the village. They further accused the pastor of forcibly converting people to Christianity and receiving foreign aid.

  • Church Services Restricted to Pastor's Family
    A woman is raising her hands in worship.
    Photo: VOMC 

    In July, a complaint against the Jesus Jeewamanai Revival Church in Polgahawela was issued by some villagers and Buddhist leaders who opposed the worship services that were taking place at the pastor's home. In response, police requested that the church restrict the number of people attending the gatherings, particularly by limiting participants who were visiting from outside of the community, until guidance was received from the authorities on how to handle the situation. For more information about this incident, go to this report.

  • Church Building Pelted with Stones; Worshippers Restricted Access
    Christians are seated on floor mats as they pray together. Two women are in the foreground.
    A group of Christians praying together.
    Photo: VOMC
     

    The Jesus Jeewamanai Revival Church in the town of Polgahawela has been the target of attacks perpetrated by disgruntled members of the community who oppose their place of worship. On July 7th and 11th, stones were thrown at the church building. Then, on July 14th, before the Christians' Sunday services were scheduled to begin, villagers blocked the road leading to the building in order to prevent the congregants and their pastor from accessing the facility.

  • Arrests During House Church Construction
    People are in and around a small building under construction.
     
     

    On June 13th, the pastor of God's Kingdom Gospel Church in Kandapola, Sri Lanka, was constructing a house church building, together with the support of other pastors and church leaders, when he was approached by a junior manager. The pastor was questioned by the manager as to whether or not the Christians had permission to build a church.