Sri Lanka to Vote on Making Buddhism State Religion

Sri Lanka’s parliament will vote next week on an amendment to the Sri Lankan constitution that, if passed, would make Buddhism the official state religion.
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On Oct. 4, the Sri Lankan parliament will once again review the proposal by the Jathika Hela Urumaya (JHU) to make Buddhism the official state religion. The JHU, which translates to the National Heritage Party, is an organisation consisting entirely of Buddhist monks. The 19th amendment, which was first proposed in September 2004, was ruled unconstitutional by the Supreme Court in December 2004.

"We are extremely concerned at this latest development,” said Alexa Papadouris, the advocacy director of Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW). “In recent years we have been monitoring these events very closely, and have highlighted our concerns over anti-Christian violence and proposed anti-conversion legislation.”

“But the proposed constitutional amendment,” he continued, “which would introduce anti-conversion legislation through the back door, would be a serious setback for religious freedom and human rights in Sri Lanka. It also represents a clear breach of Sri Lanka's obligations under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. We urge the Sri Lankan Parliament to defeat this proposal, and to uphold fundamental human rights."

Though Sri Lankan constitution gives Buddhism the “foremost place,” the country does not have an official state religion, according to CSW.

“The Republic of Sri Lanka shall give to Buddhism the foremost place and accordingly it shall be the duty of the State to protect and foster the Buddha Sasana, while assuring to all religions the rights granted by Article 10 and 14 (1)(e),” states the constitution.

In the past, freedom of religion has been protected by Article 10 of chapter 3 of the constitution. Therefore, the 19th amendment, if passed, poses a serious threat to freedom of religion.

|QUOTE|The 19th amendment would make Buddhism the “official religion” and emphasises that “other forms of religions and worship may be practiced in peace and harmony with Buddha Sasana,” CSW reports.

Under this amendment, freedom of worship would technically still be protected, but the proposal states that “the exercise of worship shall not contravene public order or offend morals.” As a consequence, Buddhists will be required to raise their children as Buddhists and conversions to any religion other than Buddhism will be prohibited.

This amendment “impose[s] fetters on the freedom of worship of non-Buddhists” and “clearly undermine[s] the religious freedom of Buddhists and violate[s] the absolute freedom or religion granted to all citizens,” responded the National Christian Evangelical Alliance of Sri Lanka (NCEASL) to the proposal, according to CSW.

In order to pass, the 19th amendment will require a two-thirds majority vote in parliament next Tuesday.

Christianity was first introduced in Sri Lanka in the sixteenth century by the Portuguese and many Sri Lankans consider it to be a foreign religion imposed by European colonists. Beginning in 1980, there has been significant growth in evangelical Christianity leading to increased resistance from militant Buddhists according to Voice of The Martyrs.





Michelle Vu
Christian Today Correspondent