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_ 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_ 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 |  |
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