SRI LANKA: Buddhists Assault Church

Bulletin Date: 7 August 2013

A Christian pastor and his congregation in Sri Lanka were violently assaulted by a Buddhist monk and his associates during a Sunday service on June 23. The sustained attack began as the unsuspecting pastor went on an errand a short distance from his New Life Church in Neluwaththuduwa, 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 attacking the congregation of about 70 members.

When police arrived to disperse the mob, five Christians, including the pastor, were taken to a local police station, along with the monk and some of the other assailants. The pastor was able to register a case against his attackers. This attack took place just a week after a violent mob attacked a Methodist congregation in Valachchennai.

Source: Release International

Please Pray!

Pray for the safety of believers in Sri Lanka, and that their persecutors will have a life-changing encounter with the King of Kings.

"The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; and He knows those who trust in Him." Nah. 1:7

The Voice of the Martyrs provides training for pastors in Sri Lanka. Read more about Christian persecution in Sri Lanka in our September newsletter, page 9.

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.