Officials Halt the Progress of Religious Activities

lk-worship1
Pray for the safety of churches
and their members in Sri Lanka.


VOM Canada recently received numerous incident reports from Sri Lanka outlining concerns involving two churches. On July 21st, Divisional Secretariat Officials went to investigate a church during the pastor's absence, taking pictures and refusing to answer the caretaker's questions regarding who they were and the purpose of their visit. The officials then threatened the church members, stating that the continuance of their religious worship would result in them being taken to local police. The following day, a couple of congregation members had inquired at the Divisional Secretariat's office about the incident, only to be threatened again if they did not comply with instruction.

A separate incident took place on July 4th, this time involving a church in Padukka of Colombo District. During the pastor's early-morning prayer time, an unwelcomed stranger entered his home. Using derogatory language, the intruder threatened him, demanding that he leave the village. The following day, the pastor witnessed a group of individuals armed with stones for the purpose of destroying the church. However, they quickly dispersed upon realizing that the pastor had observed them. Later that same morning, while the worship service was in progress, a mob consisting of about 50 villagers arrived on the scene, commanding the pastor to step outside. After shouting insults, threats, and demands to have the church halt all worship activities, the mob was confronted by police officers who attempted to diffuse the situation. After the incident, the pastor was advised to be present on July 6th at the police station.

Accompanied by his lawyer for the police meeting, the pastor discussed the situation with the officer-in-charge, who happened to be a Buddhist monk. After hearing a few villagers present false testimonies, the officer ordered the pastor to discontinue all worship services immediately. When the pastor referenced his fundamental rights under the Sri Lankan Constitution, the police filed an official complaint claiming the church as an unlawful place of worship within their Buddhist village. (Other reports and informative video clips can be viewed here.)

Let's unite our hearts in unceasing prayer for believers who are being persecuted for their faith, thanking God for what He is accomplishing in the lives of many in Sri Lanka and around the world, despite the threats of those in opposition. May His people be encouraged, strengthened and equipped by the promises in Scripture -- the Sword of the Spirit -- knowing that He is watching over His Word to perform it (Ephesians 6:17; Jeremiah 1:12). Pray that these Christians will have a greater awareness of the Lord's presence, protection and love; and that there be an increase and overflow of this authentic love demonstrated through their lives. 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.

  • 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.