Parliament Expected to Act on a Bill Prohibiting Religious Conversion

For Immediate Release

Sri Lanka’s Parliament Expected to Act on a Bill which Prohibits Religious Conversion

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(7-13-04) The Washington-DC based human rights group, International Christian Concern (ICC) has learned that the Sri Lanka Parliament will consider a bill on July 20, 2004 to prevent conversion of Buddhists to other religions. This bill, if it becomes law, will limit an individual’s right to follow their conscience in adopting a religion of choice. This will result in a basic violation of the human rights of all who live in Sri Lanka .

Minority religions in Sri Lanka will mainly be effected as, for example, Christians would no longer be legally able to share their faith without being accused of “inducement.” Entire churches could find themselves charged with “forcible conversion.” This bill if it becomes law will result in a major ethnic cleansing of all religious minorities, including Christians, from Sri Lanka .

ICC urges Sri Lanka ’s Parliament to avoid international disgrace by tabling this measure when it comes to a vote on July 14^th. ICC also urges Christians to pray that this bill will not be enacted into law, and to express their concern by telephone or fax to Sri Lanka Ambassador Devinda Subasinghe in Washington D.C. at:
Tel: (202) 483-4025/26/27/28
Fax: (202) 232-7181

Email: slembassy@slembassyusa.org

2141 Wyoming Ave.
Washington DC 20008

Act now as time is short.