This beach-lined island, originally named Ceylon, gained independence from Britain in 1948 and had its named changed to Sri Lanka in 1972. Violence broke out between the Sinhalese majority and Tamil separatists in 1983, leaving tens of thousands dead. After two decades of fighting, a cease-fire was formalized in February 2002, raising hopes of stability and safety. More violence erupted in 2006, and a military campaign defeated the remnants of Tamil separatists in 2009, ending the civil war.

From the constant threat of the Sinhala-Tamil conflict to the tsunami of 2004 to the civil war’s bloody conclusion, more than 100,000 people have lost their lives. More than 900,000 (mostly Tamils) emigrated or fled and more than one million are displaced.

Buddhism is the national religion and, as such, is protected and promoted. The law assures freedom of religion; however, anti-conversion initiatives and sporadic violence against Christians occur because of extreme Buddhist groups. Christianity is often perceived as foreign and evangelism as an unethical inducement to conversion.

Traditional mainline churches have declined from 21 percent of the population in 1722 to 7 percent in 2010. The causes include nominalism, theological liberalism, insufficient outreach and lack of indigenous representation. Aggressive Buddhist proselytism and emigration of Tamil Christians steadily whittle away their flocks.

Persecution comes in waves and is sporadic, but it is intense when it occurs. More than 250 churches have been destroyed or damaged in recent years. This persecution is a double-edged sword; it threatens believers, but also fuels church growth and spiritual passion. Its causes are multiple—the hatred of the enemy for God’s people, the extremist agendas of some Buddhist and Hindu groups, the historic association of Christianity with foreign oppressors and the inappropriate, insensitive methods adopted by some evangelists and church planters.

Prayer Requests

• Pray for protection for Christians as opposition confronts them.
• Pray for a lasting peace in Sri Lanka's civil war.
• Pray the gospel message will continue to spread and that many will come to Christ.