Christians Oppose New Conversion Restrictions & Violence in Sri Lanka

Earlier this week the National Christian Council of Sri Lanka released a statement addressing concerns regarding attacks against Christian places of worship and the possible enactment of a legislation to restrict religious conversions.

The Council said recent attacks in Christian places of worship had not received swift and adequate responses from police, but it hoped that equality among all people could be maintained. The Council also stated its hopes that authorities would act hastily when such problems arose so that a bias would not be shown against minority religions in the country.

Also of concern to the Council were ongoing measures to enact legislation that would restrict conversions. It recognised the need to seek to outlaw "unethical conversions" but indicated that for various reasons, it would be almost impossible to define the difference between forced and voluntary conversions.

The Council added that in a larger sense, such restrictions could be very imposing into citizens' rights to freely choose a religion, belief or ideology.

The motive behind the statement was clear, and the Council wanted to speak out against conversion restrictions before they became a reality, hoping to head off possible future obstructions of "individual choice and freedom."

Though mindful of the allegations that Christians were "buying converts," they condemned any such methods and expressed a willingness to cooperate with investigations relating to such exploits.

The statement also said the Council would welcome the establishment of an Inter Religions Council of religious leaders to facilitate communication and investigation of unethical religious practices.

The statement ended passionately with a call for God to bless and unite the various communities in Sri Lanka.




Francis Helguero
Ecumenical Press