In this island paradise, violence and turmoil have become as much a part of the landscape as palm-lined beaches. Originally named Ceylon, when it gained independence from Britain in 1948, the name was changed to Sri Lanka in 1972. In the mid-1980's, violence broke out between the Sinhalese majority and Tamil separatists, leaving tens of thousands dead. In December 2001, a peace accord was signed and there is hope of peace and safety beginning to shine.

Since the third century B.C., Buddhism has been a part of Sri Lanka. Christianity was first introduced by the Portuguese in the sixteenth century, but Buddhism remains the state religion and is officially protected and promoted. Many Sri Lankans consider Christianity to be a foreign religion imposed by European colonials. While the Constitution contains a statement guarding freedom of religion, many Christian activities are seen to violate the special status awarded Buddhism. Amendments to existing laws and the introduction of a new law would only serve to further hinder religious freedoms within Sri Lanka. Christians in the country are deeply concerned over the legal proceedings that could bring about yet more persecution.

The faithfulness of believers in the face of opposition is evident in that there has been a significant growth of evangelical Christianity since 1980. This has resulted in increased opposition from militant Buddhists, frequently led by local monks. Churches have been burned and Christians beaten and stabbed.

Christians were subjected to a significant increase in violence in early 2005. In part, relief efforts following the Tsunami were used as an occasion for accusations against Christians. Just before midnight on April 27, a group of unidentified people broke into the premises of the Kiran Methodist Church in Batticaloa.  A fire was started in the storage room for Tsunami relief supplies. The blaze spread and every building on the compound was destroyed. The pastor had been receiving threats, telling him to stop his relief efforts because he was using them for religious conversion.

The fact that persecution is a part of everyday life in Sri Lanka is also evident. After the December 2004 Tsunami destroyed The Assembly of God Church building in Ambalangoda (Galle District), the congregation was able to purchase a new building on June 4. The following night, however, the windows of the building were smashed with rocks and bottles.  The street lights had mysteriously been switched off during the attack.  The next day, yet more violence ensued, resulting in the beating of two parishioners and the pastor.

In the Batticaloa District, the NCEASL, in partnership with The Voice of the Martyrs in Canada, has been constructing a leadership training centre amidst threats.  On February 29, 2005, the building where construction workers stayed was burned down.  On the night of June 2, the home of the family who donated the land for the training centre was set on fire.  The family was able to escape without injury and extinguish the fire before the entire house was destroyed.

Mobs frequently threaten more violence unless all Christian work stops in their area. The proposed legislation only fuels their zeal. However, in reference to evangelistic and social programs conducted by Christians, Godfrey Yogarajah, General Secretary of the National Christian Evangelical Alliance of Sri Lanka, stated in an interview, “No state can regulate the living out of our faith in the community. We should all be faithful to the Biblical Mandate whether in prison or out of prison.”

• Pray for protection for Christians as they are confronted by opposition.
• Pray for a lasting peace in Sri Lanka's civil war
• Pray that the Gospel message will continue to grow and that many will come to Christ, despite the opposition.