The Voice of the Martyrs Canada :: Pastor killed in Sri Lanka :: Providing Information and Support for Persecuted Christians

Persecution News - Sri Lanka

Mob attacks church
(December 09, 2009)

Church attacked by Buddhists
(November 18, 2009)

Pastor assaulted
(July 22, 2009)

Church robbed, pastor threatened
(April 22, 2009)

Religious liberty organizations call attention to Sri Lankan crisis
(April 08, 2009)

Violence against Christians
(April 01, 2009)

Sri Lanka Profile

Total Area:
65,610 sq. km

Population:
21,128,773 (July 2008 est.)

Ethnicity:
Sinhalese 73.8%, Sri Lankan Moors 7.2%, Indian Tamil 4.6%, Sri Lankan Tamil 3.9%, Other 0.5%, Unspecified 10% (2001)

Language:
Sinhala (official and national language) 74%, Tamil (national language) 18%, Other 8%

Religion:
Buddhist 69.1%, Muslim 7.6%, Hindu 7.1%, Christian 6.2%, Unspecified 10% (2001)

Government Type:
Republic

Capital:
Colombo; Sri Jayewardenepura Kotte is the legislative capital

Population Below Poverty Line:
22% (2002)

Country Reports

Pastor killed in Sri Lanka

October 22, 2008

^{Pastor Sebamalai Gunesh with his family
Photo from}^{Ravin Caldera}

Pastor Sebamalai Gunesh (33) of Elohim Gospel Church in the village of Orugodawatte on the outskirts of Colombo was found dead on October 8, according to the National Christian Evangelical Alliance of Sri Lanka. The pastor was reported missing on October 6 when he did not return home from a religious meeting held in the town of Kadawatha. Pastor Gunesh's brother was also found dead in a nearby location.

Ask God to comfort Pastor Gunesh's wife, 4-year-old son and 2-year-old daughter in their grief. Pray that those responsible for the attacks will come to repentance and salvation, just as Paul did. Pray for wisdom and protection for those serving Christ in Sri Lanka at great risk.

For more information on the suffering of Christians in Sri Lanka, go to the Sri Lanka Country Report.