Religious Liberty Prayer Bulletin – No. 231 – Wed 06 Aug 2003

———————————————— SRI LANKA: CAMPAIGN OF VIOLENCE AGAINST CHURCHES ————————————————

The Evangelical Alliance of Sri Lanka (EASL) reports that five churches were attacked by mobs of Buddhist monks over the weekend of 2-3 August, in what appears to be a planned campaign of violence directed specifically at Christian churches. The EASL believes this is part of a strategic effort by Buddhist monks to stir up negative feeling against the Christian community before the Anti Conversion Bill comes to the parliament again. A ground swell of sentiment against the Church would make the Anti Conversion Bill even more politically popular than it already is. Less than one percent of Sri Lanka is Protestant Christian.

On Saturday 2 August the Methodist Church in Rathgama was attacked. Some 50 Buddhist monks had besieged the church on the previous Sunday before police intervened. After a meeting at the police station on 2 August, 10 monks ignored the police warnings and attacked the church again, pelting it with rocks and destroying the interior. Two Christian workers, Brother Mahesh and Brother Richard Silva were so severely beaten by the monks they had to be hospitalised. Another worker, Brother Ariyadasa, only narrowly escaped a monk armed with a mammoty (sharp edged shovel) who threatened to kill him. Some of the local Buddhist villagers have shown support for the church and have expressed anger at the attack. Some have since helped guard the church at night.

Also attacked by mobs of Buddhist monks on 2 August were the pastor of the Assembly of God Church (AOG) in Thanamalwila, and Pastor Ranjith of the AOG Church in Lunugamwhehra in the South. Pastor Ranjith’s sister who tried to protect him was also beaten. The mob of about 10 Buddhist monks threatened to attack again if the church is not closed down. Armed with a grenade and a pistol, they also threatened to kill the pastor.

Other places attacked by Buddhist monks over the weekend included the Calvary Church in Hikkaduwa and houses of members of the AOG Church in Ganemulla. Further reported attacks are as yet unconfirmed. The EASL writes, ‘Please pray for the believers and the Christian leadership in Sri Lanka at this time of great need.’

PLEASE PRAY SPECIFICALLY FOR:

* all believers to be spiritually strengthened and uplifted as they face the frightening prospect of a wave of systematic persecution, and especially those who have suffered injury, loss and trauma in last weekend’s attacks.

‘We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.’ 2 Cor 4:8-9,16. NIV

* spiritual wisdom and strong leadership in the Christian communities and in the churches, to guide the believers through the storm with eyes fixed on Jesus.

* the Sri Lankan government to govern with integrity, and insist that local authorities rise to the challenge and enforce rule of law, so that violence is not tolerated and thereby passively endorsed and encouraged. (1 Timothy 2:1-4)

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SUMMARY TO USE IN BULLETINS UNABLE TO RUN THE WHOLE ARTICLE: ———————————————————— VIOLENT CAMPAIGN AGAINST CHURCHES IN SRI LANKA

The Evangelical Alliance of Sri Lanka (EASL) has confirmed five reports of violent attacks by mobs of Buddhist monks against churches over the weekend of 2-3 August. The Methodist Church in Rathgama was attacked and two believers were severely beaten and hospitalised. The pastor of the Assembly of God Church (AOG) in Thanamalwila was violently assaulted, as were Pastor Ranjith of the AOG Church in Lunugamvehera and his sister. They were also threatened with death if the church is not closed. Attacked elsewhere were the Calvary Church in Hikkaduwa and houses of members of the AOG Church in Ganemulla. The EASL believes this violence is linked to the proposed Anti Conversion Bill. The EASL writes, ‘Please pray for the believers and the Christian leadership in Sri Lanka at this time of great need.’

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The WEA Religious Liberty Commission sponsors this RL Prayer List to help individuals and groups pray specifically and regularly for religious liberty issues, and in particular to uphold the Church where it is suffering persecution.

RL Prayer is moderated by Ron Clough, a commissioner of the WEA RLC and convenor of the Australian EA RLC.

Elizabeth Kendal researched and authored this message.

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