CSW Fears Anti-Conversion Legislation in Sri Lanka

Persecution watchdogs fear legislation that may restrict the freedom-of-religion will pass through the parliament vote in Sri Lanka. This anti-conversion legislation may result in disastrous consequences for the Christians and other religions in Sri Lanka. It stipulates that it’s not allowed to "unethically convert or attempt to unethically convert any person to another strange religion."

Approximately 70 percent of the population in Sri Lanka are Buddhist, with only 8 percent being Christian. Christian churches faces occasional resistance by Buddhists, in particular evangelical Christian denominations are hindered in their activities. Last year, two separate anti-conversion bills were proposed — one by the Jathika Hela Urumaya (JHU), a Buddhist political party; and one by Ratnasiri Wickremanayake, the Minister of Buddhist Affairs.

In August 2004, the Supreme Court ruled that JHU’s "Bill for the Prohibition of Forcible Conversion" Sections 3(a) and 3(b) were unconstitutional, since it violated the fundamental freedoms of thought, conscience and religion as enshrined in the Constitution of Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka has committed itself to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which guarantees "freedom of thought, conscience and religion" and "freedom to change religion or belief".

Although the Government’s Bill was put aside, it now seems that the Bill is back on the track again.

The Government’s proposed bill "Act for the Protection of Religious Freedom," is even more strict than the JHU bill. An article in Sri Lanka’s Daily Mirror on 18th March said "the main objective of the bill is to ... prohibit conversion to other religions."

The Government proposes that if a person is found guilty of violating the provisions in the law, they will be sentenced to prison for five years or a fine up to 100,000 rupees [£550]. Additionally, if the offence is committed against a minor, the accused will receive a sentence for a maximum seven years or a fine up to 500,000 rupees [£3000], said the Daily Mirror according to Compass.

Should the Act become law, it will almost certainly affect tsunami relief efforts carried out by religious groups. Under the new law, acts of charity and goodwill may be viewed as attempts at conversion, leaving relief organisations open to stiff government penalties and possible imprisonment.

Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) and their local partners in Sri Lanka, the National Christian Evangelical Alliance of Sri Lanka (NCEASL), are disturbed by the threatening situation and are watching this case closely. The NCEASL believe that "the tarnishing of our nation’s image as a human rights violator will cause irreparable damage to our economy – a luxury that we can ill afford at this time of national crisis." In the meanwhile, CSW has started a campaign against the proposed Bill.