Release International

Gunmen in eastern Sri Lanka raided a Christmas Eve service in a cathedral, killing a senior politician and injuring eight others.

Joseph Pararajasingham, a Christian and an MP for the Tamil National Alliance, died in St Ann's Cathedral in Batticaloa shortly after 1am on Christmas Day when two unidentified gunmen opened fire on the congregation. Mr Pararajasingham's wife Sugunam was seriously wounded in the attack. RI sources say that, though no group has claimed responsibility for the killing, the blame appears to lie with a breakaway faction of the rebel Tamil Tigers (or LTTE - Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam).

Although the MP's murder is thought to be politically motivated, it has left Sri Lanka's hard-pressed Christian community feeling fearful, particularly in the rebel-held north and east of the country. 'Reports from these regions indicate there is mounting tension and uncertainty,' said an RI source. 'Christians in the north and east celebrated Christmas on a very low key.'

This is the third year running that Christmas has been difficult for Sri Lanka's Christians: last year's tsunami struck on Boxing Day while, in December 2003, controversy raged as Christians were accused of murdering a prominent Buddhist monk, Gangodawila Soma Thera, on a visit to Russia.

The RI source fears that a return to war will only help 'fan the flames of religious intolerance'. 'An "anti-terror" façade can be used effectively by anti-Christian elements against churches and Christians, perpetuating the Buddhist extremists' accusation that Christians are aiding and abetting
terrorism.'

Mr Pararajasingham was an outspoken critic of the proposed anti-conversion laws which Christians fear would be used to crack down on church activities. Hard-line Buddhists in the National Heritage Party (JHU) have pledged their support for the newly elected president Mahinda Rajapakse.

• Pray for Christians in Sri Lanka at this time of mounting insecurity. Pray that political tensions would not be exploited to persecute them further.
• Pray for the family of the murdered Mr Pararajasingham, especially his wife who has been seriously wounded.

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