JHU Moves to Make Buddhism Sri Lanka's Official Religion

28 September 2005

^{Ven. Ellawala Methananda Thera
President of the JHU}

In a strategic move, while public attention in Sri Lanka is focused on upcoming presidential elections, a constitutional amendment aimed at making Buddhism the official religion of Sri Lanka has been put on the Parliamentary Order Paper for a second reading on October 4 by the Jathika Hela Urumaya (JHU). The JHU is a party made up entirely of Buddhist monks. Earlier the Sri Lankan Supreme Court ruled that parts of this amendment were unconstitutional. Consequently, a two-thirds majority vote of parliament and a national referendum would be required for the amendment to pass.

The National Christian Evangelical Alliance of Sri Lanka (NCEASL) is concerned that the legislation may pass virtually unnoticed, with attention diverted to the upcoming elections. The NCEASL is calling for advocacy and has published a document outlining their concerns with the proposed amendment. Contact information for Sri Lankan government officials through www.srilankanchristians.com.

For more information on Sri Lanka and the challenges facing Christians there, click here. An extensive video report released earlier this year by The Voice of the Martyrs entitled, "Faith Under Fire: Sri Lanka," is available for viewing on www.vomcanada.com.

Sri Lanka

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

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A congregation in Sri Lanka.
Photo: VOMC

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A group of Christians praying together.
Photo: VOMC

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