Sri Lankan Christians Attacked on Christmas
Christians in Sri Lanka were attacked by a mob of about 30 people on Christmas day while on their way to a Christmas service.
Christians in Sri Lanka were attacked by a mob of about 30 people on Christmas day while on their way to a Christmas service.
A group of Christians making their way to the King’s Revival Church in Alawwa, Kurunegala District, were stopped by a group of people and were threatened not to go to church, according to the National Christian Evangelical Alliance of Sri Lanka (NCEASL).
Many fled from fear but those who attempted to go to Church were beaten. Four people – one man and three women – were injured including a pregnant woman.
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The group filed complaints to the Alawwa Police on Dec. 25 and Dec. 28 about the attacks. However, no action had been taken by the police to catch the attackers.
The NCEASL joined the effort for justice and alerted the government and the police, requesting fair treatment. It later learned that police had taken some people in for questioning on the morning of Dec. 29. The group further said that “it is reliably learned that a local political organizer is behind the attacks.”
The pastor of King’s Revival Church said that he was threatened and told not to hold a Christmas service, but he did despite the danger.
According to the U.S. Department of State’s 2005 International Religious Freedom Report, “Christians, both mainstream denominations and evangelical groups, encountered increased harassment and physical attacks by some local Buddhists who felt threatened by these groups.”
“Some Christian groups,” the reported added, “sometimes complained that the Government tacitly condoned harassment and violence. In some cases, the police response was inadequate, and local police officials reportedly were reluctant to take legal action against individuals involved in the attacks.”
The church has been warned that it will be attacked on Dec. 31. Police have been alerted about this threat and were requested so that people can attend worship service on that day.
