*ARCHIVED OCTOBER 2007 // CLICK HERE FOR CURRENT DATA

Sri Lanka (click here to view a satellite map)

Sri Lanka, South Asia

Population: 20,064,776
Christians: 8%
Dominant Religion: Buddhism
Persecution Ranking: 30th
Political Leader: President Mahinda Rajapakse
Religious Freedom in Constitution: Yes

More than 1,000 Buddhist monks recently staged a protest in this predominantly Buddhist country, asking that anti-conversion legislation be put back on the parliamentary agenda before presidential elections scheduled for Thursday, November 17.
Two anti-conversion bills--one proposed by the Buddhist Jathika Hela Urumaya (JHU)--were presented to parliament earlier this year, but were put on hold, Compass Direct reported. The JHU bill called for prison sentences of up to five years and/or a stiff fine for anyone found guilty of converting others "by force or by allurement or by any fraudulent means." It also encouraged members of the public to report cases of suspected forced conversion.
In July, the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom urged the Sri Lankan government to refrain from passing laws that were "inconsistent with international standards with regard to freedom of thought, conscience and religion or belief." In response, the JHU sent a letter to U.S. Ambassador Jeffry Lunstead in early August, condemning the United States' stand on the anti-conversion bill.
The National Christian Evangelical Alliance of Sri Lanka recorded more than 170 attacks on Christian individuals or institutions between January 2003 and January 2005. In many of these incidents, Buddhist monks were present and played a leading role.
Prayer Points

	Praise God that the two anti-conversion bills were put on hold earlier.
	Pray for the Parliament not to yield to pressure from Buddhist groups and put anti-conversion legislation back on the agenda prior to the presidential elections.
	Pray that whoever is elected president on November 17 will not pursue an anti-Christian agenda and will guarantee freedom for all religions.
	Pray for the violence by Buddhist fundamentalists against Christians to stop.
	Pray for Christians to be courageous and take chances to serve even their enemies in the midst of rebuilding from the tsunami disaster.

LORD Jesus Christ, we ask You to bring an atmosphere of peace into the troubled nation of Sri Lanka. May You open doors for the Gospel of Your life and salvation to permeate this land, giving every citizen the opportunity to know You for who You are. We ask that You diminish the influence of those who would rob the Sri Lankan people of religious freedom, and that Your people would continue to love and serve their neighbors, especially victims of the tsunami disaster, with courage and perseverance. Amen.

ADDITIONAL INFO ON SRI LANKA

• View additional info on the Joshua Project site
• Praying Through The Window 6
• Praying Through The Window 7
• 2006 Weekly Prayer Points