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More than two hundred Buddhist monks are seeking election under the Jathika Hela Urumaya party, with the objective of establishing Sri Lanka as a Buddhist kingdom. Though the Jathika Hela Urumaya party is not expected to gain a large number of seats in the parliament, the party may have a decisive role if neither of the two major parties gains a clear majority. This is the first time that Buddhist monks have entered the election as candidates. They say they have entered the election because of political corruption and to work against alleged "unethical conversions." They are intending to push for anti-conversion legislation similar to that in several states in India.

Pray that the Sri Lankan government will continue to allow freedom of religion and that the new government will emphasize the equality of all citizens. Pray that there will be a continued decrease in violence against Christians and that the threats will abate.

For more information on the trials for Christians in Sri Lanka,click here.

A report received on February 18 from the National Christian Evangelical Alliance of Sri Lanka outlines several attacks on Christians on February 14-15, including the following:

According to one unconfirmed report, three Christian workers were visiting a Christian's home in Katugasthota, Nuwara, on February 14 when they were forcibly taken to the Buddhist temple. There the monk summoned the villagers who assaulted them. When their pastor and others came to assist, they were taken to the police station where they were held until the next day.

The Apostolic Church in Boraluwewa, Kuliyapitiya, has been under constant threat, as opponents have been attempting to close the church. On January 28, police advised the pastor worker to not call them if the church is attacked. Nevertheless, when the worker received information that an attack was planned for February 15, he called the police. The police never arrived. Two hours later, a crowd of around one hundred people gathered, destroying the church and the pastor's living quarters. The worker and his pregnant wife managed to escape but all of their possessions were destroyed. They are now living in a safe house. A police report was filed and five people have been arrested. However, a neighboring Christian has been threatened and is being prevented from leaving his house to make a police complaint. Pastors and other Christian leaders are unable to visit the site, since villagers are keeping anyone from entering the area.

Pray for provision for these poor families who have lost their belongings as a result of these attacks. Pray that the authorities will provide the protection needed. Pray that, through incidents such as these, the Buddhist villagers will see the love of Christ in the lives of those they oppose.

For more information on Sri Lanka, go towww.vomcanada.com/srilanka.htm.

When Sri Lankans elect a new government on April 2, religion will play a significant role. The Supreme Council of Monks had been pressuring the two main political parties, pledging their support if the party would enact new laws banning "unethical conversions." When it appeared that neither party would accept these conditions, the monks put forward the names of 260 leading monks as candidates under the Jathika Hela Urumaya Party ("National Heritage Party").

Pray that God will intervene in the election process in Sri Lanka and that the elected government will recognize the religious rights of all people. Pray for continued peace for Christians during this time of uncertainty.

For more information on persecution in Sri Lanka, go towww.vomcanada.com/srilanka.htm.

Arrests for religiously motivated crimes against Christians have been rare in Sri Lanka. However, the President and Prime Minister have both called for action to prevent a continuation of the violence seen in recent months.

Join in thanking God that the authorities appear to be taking action to prevent this violence. Pray that this will be a deterrent against further attacks. Pray that those responsible for these attacks will see the love of Christ in the lives of Christians around them and seek that peace and love for themselves.

For more information on the plight of Christians in Sri Lanka, go towww.vomcanada.com/srilanka.htm.

In response to the violence facing Christians in recent months, the Sri Lankan authorities have set up local peace committees involving the local police, Buddhist monks and Christian clergy. The purpose of these committees is to peacefully resolve issues to prevent further violence. However, according to a report received on February 2 from the Evangelical Alliance of Sri Lanka (EASL), it is becoming common for Christian clergy to be verbally abused and threatened during these meetings. During the meetings, police have ordered churches to stop meeting unless they are registered with the government, even though registration is not required by law. Christians were told that they could not meet in homes for prayer unless they are residents of the home, despite constitutional guarantees to the contrary. As a result of these threats, some of the pastors have stopped all services.

On January 25, a pastor in Mathugama was bound, blindfolded and assaulted when four men broke into his house at night. That same evening, in Makola, the Bethany Church was stoned and the roof damaged.

In Homagama, a pastor who has been under police protection since December was threatened with death if he did not leave the town. Two men walked into his house, while a police constable was present, and threatened him at knife-point.

Pray that Sri Lankan Christians will have the legal protection afforded them under the law. Pray for strength and continued endurance in the face of the pressure and dangers facing the Church in Sri Lanka.

For more information on problems facing Christians in Sri Lanka, go towww.vomcanada.com/srilanka.htm.

There were no injuries in the attack, but religious statues were smashed with clubs and Bibles and hymnals were set on fire, destroying much of the building. Srahi Bonso, a church director, told Associated Press, "This church has been standing for the last 14 years... now all that remains is the roof and walls."

Pray that the escalation of violence against Sri Lankan Christians will stop and that believers will be free to worship without fear. Pray that the authorities will take action, despite pressure from a strong Buddhist lobby.

For more information on persecution in Sri Lanka, go towww.vomcanada.com/srilanka.htm.

Early Sunday morning, January 18, St. Anthony's Roman Catholic Church in the village of Hokandara was also attacked when around six youth cut through the fence and set burning tires against the door, damaging part of the building. There were no injuries in either attack.

Pray that Christians in Sri Lanka will continue to be a light in the darkness that surrounds them. Pray for a continued ministry for the Church in Sri Lanka.

For more information on persecution in Sri Lanka, go towww.vomcanada.com/srilanka.htm.

This is one of several incidents in Sri Lanka this week reported by the National Christian Evangelical Alliance of Sri Lanka. In various locations pastors and churches received threats of violence or death. In Pita-Kotte, Kirimatiyana, Wadduwa, Thennekumbura and Matugama homes or church buildings were damaged in attacks.

Please continue to pray for your Christian brothers and sisters in Sri Lanka as they stand for Jesus Christ during this critical time.

The Christmas season was a time of prayerful concern in Sri Lanka this year. VOM has received reports of at least fourteen separate attacks on Christians during the week of December 23-29. Several church buildings and the homes of several Christians around Sri Lanka were vandalized. In one such incident on December 27, twenty people attacked a Christian home, destroying the door and windows, and seriously damaging a three-wheeled taxi belonging to the family. Two young children who were in the house when the attack occurred were seriously traumatized and the family has been warned to renounce Christianity or they will be forced out of the village.

On three consecutive nights (December 24-26), the King's Revival Church in Maharagama was pelted with stones. Then, on the afternoon of December 28, a mob converged the church. Police were called and some of the attackers were arrested. After an agreement was reached with a monk from the Vajiraghnana temple that there would be no more trouble, those arrested were released.

These are only a few of many recent incidents of threats and violence against Christians in Sri Lanka. Many details cannot be publicized for security reasons. Pray for protection for Christians as they seek to serve Christ and spread the Good News of Jesus Christ in their nation. Pray for church leaders in Sri Lanka as they continue to minister in an increasingly hostile religious environment.

For more information on Sri Lanka, go towww.vomcanada.com/srilanka.htm.

   On December 23, the Evangelical Alliance of Sri Lanka called on Christians to pray that there would not be an increase in attacks against Christians in the wake of the death of a prominent Buddhist monk Ven. Soma Thero, who passed away while in Russia to accept an honorary degree. While the cause of death was determined to be a heart attack, militant Buddhist groups suspected foul play and some wildly speculated that his death was the result of a Christian conspiracy. Thero was a champion of the Buddhist nationalist movement in Sri Lanka.
Following Thero's funeral on December 24, a riot erupted, with five people severely beaten, one man because he was identified as a Christian.

Illustrating the rising hatred for Christians by Buddhist militants, posters have begun appearing around Colombo claiming that NGOs (non-governmental organizations) such as World Vision are part of a "diabolical conspiracy" by Christians to convert and corrupt the nation. The posters read "Let's defeat the NGO mafia" and feature pictures of Thero walking with the Sri Lankan army.

In response to this tension, the Sri Lanka Daily News reported today that the government will be setting up "religious unity committees" to maintain peace and prevent religious tensions. These reconciliation committees are being set up under the direction of the Ministries of Buddha Sasana, Christian Affairs, Muslim and Hindu Religious Affairs.

In a less positive development, speaking to reporters on December 28, Thiagaraja Maheswaran, Sri Lanka's minister for Hindu religious affairs, said that he had obtained a copy of the anti-conversion legislation passed by the Tamil Nadu government in India and that, "this will serve as a model for the legislation to be passed in our country." Maheswaran expressed concern about the rising number of religious converts to Christianity among the poor. More than seven thousand Hindu families converted to Christianity in the northeast and central provinces of Sri Lanka in the past ten years. The minister seemed to link the conversions with the work of international relief agencies involved in reconstruction work.

Pray for the increasing danger faced by Sri Lankan Christians from both religious militants and possible government legislation. Pray for wisdom for national and local church leaders in Sri Lanka as they seek to provide guidance to believers there. Pray for the work of Christian organizations in Sri Lanka as they face false accusations of proselytism. For an explanation of the difference between proselytism and evangelism, go to https://www.vomcanada.com/faq.htm.