Release International

Recent attacks against Christians in south and west Sri Lanka have left several people injured and homes damaged, according to Release partners.

On July 19, a mob of about 50 people attacked the homes of five Christian families in Dehiwinna, Badulla district, with clubs and rocks. A grocery shop was also demolished, reports the National Christian Evangelical Alliance of Sri Lanka (NCEASL).

The attackers shouted threats, demanding that Christians leave the area. Several families fled and hid in the jungle for a while. One Christian was badly beaten and required hospital treatment for his injuries. Local police were informed and officers were sent in to patrol the area on subsequent nights – but no arrests have been made.

On July 10, a pastor in Ampara district was hospitalised after being beaten by a Buddhist monk and others. The unnamed pastor from Mount Carmel Church in Keviliyamaduwa had attended a meeting about land distribution convened by the monk – only to be attacked by those present.

The pastor, who was also later assaulted at his home, was taken to Ampara Hospital with injuries to his arm and severe pains in his stomach.

These are not isolated incidents – and in fact NCEASL publishes regular persecution incident summaries. On June 18, the temporary building of an Assembly of God church in Nuwara-Eliva district was damaged during the night. The pastor of the church has received threats for years, according to NCEASL.

And in Puttlam district, in western Sri Lanka, the Prayer Tower Church in Mahawewa was desecrated with excrement on June 5. Later on the same day, it was then raided by about 200 protesters carrying placards and clubs and demanding the church's closure. A lay preacher who tried to remonstrate with protesters was beaten.

Evangelical Christians especially face violence and opposition in this Buddhist-majority nation.

(Source: National Christian Evangelical Alliance of Sri Lanka)

• Pray for all Sri Lankan Christians who have suffered attacks and threats in recent months. Pray that God's rod and staff (Psalm 23) will protect and comfort them.
• Ask God to bless, protect and sustain Release partner NCEASL. Pray especially for its General Secretary, Godfrey Yogarajah, who has had an operation recently.


UPDATE
Sources have cast doubt on the reliability of some of the details contained in the Prayer Alert of July 22 focusing on an Iraqi house church leader. Pastor Jamal is still away from his family but it is now understood that he is being detained by security forces not militants.

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