The island nation of Sri Lanka is still rebuilding from a civil war that ended in 2009. The government has put significant efforts into resettling those who were displaced during the conflict between the majority Buddhist Sinhalese population and the Hindu Tamil separatists. There are strong churches and parachurch organizations in the country providing Bible teaching, theological education and mission training. Churches in Sri Lanka are actively sending missionaries to other countries in South Asia.
Life for Christians
Christians can openly gather and worship in Sri Lanka. Recently, however, the government stated that churches must be officially registered. When Buddhists in local governments feel threatened, they will sometimes attack a pastor or his home. Thankfully, strong Christian leadership programs, as well as mission-sending agencies, exist throughout 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.
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 Gotabaya Rajapaksa
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.
Ask God to give Sri Lankan Christians wisdom and favour when dealing with opposing community members.
After a member of the Grama Missionary Church in Karukkamunai, Sri Lanka, passed away, the family arranged for a funeral to be held at the public cemetery on September 27th. However, a local public
Pray with Sri Lankan believers as they seek to faithfully worship God.
Churches in Sri Lanka have frequently faced harassment from community members, Buddhist religious leaders and civil authorities. To read previously published reports on some of these cases, go to our country report. The followin
As a Sunday prayer service was concluding on October 18th, six police officers arrived at the Assemblies of God church in Bakamuna. The pastor and one of his congregation members were taken to the police station where eight Buddhist monks were awaiting them. The O
Join Sri Lankan believers in prayer. Photo: Facebook / Daniel A. Brown
Mob demonstrations are a common way to disrupt and protest Christianity in the nation of Sri Lanka. Although opposition often comes from the dominant Buddhist community, two recent incidents in the Batticaloa District appear to h
Population
