Anti-Conversion Legislation Delayed

Last week, the Persecution and Prayer Alert reported on anti-conversion legislation to be presented to the Sri Lankan parliament within two weeks (for more details, click here). It was expected to be introduced as a private member's bill on June 8. However, according to a June 13 news release from the National Christian Evangelical Alliance of Sri Lanka, a dispute caused the parliamentary session to be suspended. The next session of parliament begins on July 20. A copy of the proposed bill can be found here.

A second anti-conversion legislation is also planned by the Minister for Buddha Sasana, Ratnasiri Wickremanayake. This proposed bill would have a wider scope than the private member's bill, making conversion from one religion to another under any circumstances an offence.

Pray that the efforts of those opposed to the Gospel will be thwarted and that this legislation will not be passed. Pray that those proposing this legislation will come to understand the message of the Gospel and respond to the grace of God. Pray for the Church in Sri Lanka during this time of uncertainty.

We encourage you to politely express your concerns about these proposed bills. For more information on writing letters to government leaders, click here. Below is contact information for Sri Lankan government officials:

Her Excellency Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga
President of Sri Lanka
Presidential Secretariat,
Secretariat Building,
Colombo 1
Sri Lanka
Email: for_This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Phone: 94-11-234801
Fax: 94-11-2421583 
 
 
The Hon. Prime Minister
Hon. Mahinda Rajapaksa
Prime Minister of Sri Lanka
Temple Trees,
Colombo 3
Sri Lanka
Email: prime_This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Phone: 94-11-2575317 / 2575318
Fax: 94-11-2574143 / 2575454 / 2575310
You can also post concerns on his online forum (click here).
Minister of Buddha Sasana
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
 
For more information on persecution of Christians 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.