ICC Note:
The island nation of Sri Lanka often brings up images of a tropical paradise. Considered one of the world’s most religious nations, radical Buddhist nationalists have often persecuted the nation’s religious minority communities, including Christians. In fact, Voice of the Martyrs estimates that some 250 churches in Sri Lanka have been destroyed or damaged by sectarian violence over the years. Will this beautiful island nation one day become a tolerant place for the Gospel to grow or will religious intolerance continue to dominate? 
01/09/2017 Sri Lanka (Mission Network News) – Sri Lanka is known as the “Pearl of the Indian Ocean”.  The moniker describes a beautiful picture, but the struggles reveal something darker.
It’s considered the third most religious country in the world.  Although the constitution guarantees religious freedom while favoring Buddhism, minority Protestants have experienced violent persecution as well as discrimination.
Although it is legal to convert to Christianity in Sri Lanka, Christians often face opposition from politically active Buddhist monks.  The Voice of the Martyrs notes the persecution of Christians has escalated in recent years with the rise of militant Buddhist nationalist groups in Sri Lanka.  In fact, more than 250 churches have been destroyed or damaged in sectarian violence.
Asian Access has a presence in Sri Lanka.  Unfortunately, they are not immune to the trouble.  Adrian DeVisser is the national director for Asian Access/Sri Lanka and A2 vice president for Partnership Development.  He describes what happened to a church plant on January 5th.
“This church was attacked.  They threatened the pastor, the leader of the church and said if they go to the police, they’ll kill the entire family, and then they burned the church down.”
Police were slow to respond to calls for help, and as of Friday morning, no arrests had been made.
The church, he goes on to explain, was fairly new and growing quickly.  It was one that was drawing the ire of the militants in the area because, “Almost 100 percent of the believers in the church — it is not a very large church — they are all people from other faiths.  Pray for their faith, that persecution will not discourage them, but rather, strengthen their walk with God.  Pray for our leader that he will be able to give leadership to his own people.  He, himself, is a new believer.”
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