Release International

Release partners in northern Sri Lanka have asked for prayer for two of their workers who were brutally attacked by a gang wielding rods and clubs.

The National Christian Evangelical Alliance of Sri Lanka (NCEASL) reports that a staff member and a volunteer were badly injured after being set upon in the town of Vavuniya in Northern Province last month.

The pair were driving through the town on their motorbike when they were stopped by about 12 people at a junction on the evening of October 19. The gang beat them so severely that a helmet worn by one of the NCEASL workers was shattered. One suffered injuries to his head and arm; the other a broken right arm and injuries to his head and body.

One of them managed to break free of the attackers and alert the police – but the gang had fled before police arrived.

The NCEASL workers were initially taken to hospital in Vavuniya but were later transferred to Colombo for further treatment. The motive for the attack has yet to be firmly established though sources say this is just the latest in a string of violent attacks on ordinary citizens in Vavuniya.

For more news and a country profile about Sri Lanka click here

UPDATE:
Please continue to pray for Pakistani Christian Asia Bibi who has been on death row for a year now. Asia, a farm labourer from Punjab who is in her mid-40s, was sentenced to death for 'blasphemy' in November 2010 and since then has been confined to a tiny cell in a prison near Lahore, awaiting her appeal. She has been held in isolation and has suffered ill health. Extremists have made many death threats against Asia, her family and her supporters. Her family remain in hiding. 
 
Act:
• Sign the online petition calling for Asia Bibi's freedom, created by Release partners VOM USA. Go to: www.CallForMercy.com

Pray:
• Ask God to heal and restore the two NCEASL workers attacked in Vavuniya and pray that those responsible for the assault will be brought to justice. Ask God to protect all staff and volunteers working with this Release partner – and to bless their vital ministry.

• Pray for the immediate release of Asia Bibi in Pakistan. Ask God to protect and restore Asia and her family – and fill them with His peace.

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