SRI LANKA: Three Churches Attacked

Date of Bulletin: 5 February 2014

Sri Lanka

Two churches in Hikkaduwa, Galle District, were attacked on Jan. 12, and a third, in Pitipana, Homagama, Colombo District, was set on fire the same day.

The Assemblies of God and Calvary churches in Hikkaduwa had received warnings prior to the attacks and were promised police protection. However, during worship services on Jan. 12, about 300 people led by Buddhist monks stormed the churches and obstructed a main road, claiming the Christians' presence was illegal. The mob dispersed only after a senior police officer promised that the churches would be closed until  Feb. 10, during which time a solution would be sought.

The Church of the Foursquare Gospel, in Pitipana, was set on fire by unidentified attackers during a prayer  vigil. The fire was doused before serious damage could occur. A threatening note was left on the gate of the church.

Voice Of the Martyrs Sources, National Christian Evangelical Alliance of Sri Lanka

Please Pray!

• Remember the pastors and congregations of these churches as well as other Christian churches in Sri Lanka.
• Pray that they will remain steadfast and unmovable in their faith.
• Pray that they will find favor with the authorities and that many will come to faith in Christ through their witness.

"Plead my cause, O LORD, with those who strive with me; fight against those who fight against me. Take hold of shield and buckler, and stand up for my help. Also draw out the spear, and stop those who pursue me. Say to my soul, 'I am your salvation.'" Ps. 35:1-3

The Voice of the Martyrs provides training for pastors in Sri Lanka.

Other Sources:

Sri Lanka police "identify church attackers" in Hikkaduwa, By Charles Haviland BBC News, Colombo


The video below was posted on YouTube by Srilanka Majahedin. 

SRI LANKA – Pastor and congregation attacked

PRAYER ALERT

A Christian pastor and his congregation in Sri Lanka were violently assaulted by a Buddhist monk and his associates during a service last Sunday.

Release partners say the sustained attack began shortly before 10am when the monk set upon the pastor as he went on an errand, a short distance from his New Life Church in Neluwaththuduwa in the district of Colombo.

As the monk began to insult and attack the pastor with a tree branch, the pastor fled to his church – only to be ambushed by 20 young men who beat him and accused him of attacking the monk.

The mob then raided the church where a service was being held and began to attack the 70-strong congregation, including the pastor's two sons, aged 19 and three. Other members of the congregation managed to shield the pastor's wife from blows with a wooden club.

When police arrived to disperse the mob, five Christians, including the pastor, were taken to a local police station for interview, along with the monk and some of the other assailants. The pastor was able to register a case against his attackers. 

This attack comes just a week after a violent mob armed with clubs, knives and swords attacked a Methodist congregation in Valachchennai (Prayer Alert, June 21).

http://www.releaseinternational.org/sri-lanka-pastor-and-congregation-attacked/

(Source: Release partners) 

For a country profile of Sri Lanka, click here.

• Pray God's peace and blessings over this pastor, his family and the New Life Church congregation. Pray also for their protection.
• Pray that the authorities in Sri Lanka, including the police, will act swiftly and decisively to curb this anti-Christian violence.