Pakistani Christian asylum seekers in Sri Lanka are fearing for their safety after the suicide bombings of churches and hotels on Easter Sunday.
The British Pakistani Christian Association reports that they, together with Afghan asylum seekers, have been threatened by mobs seeking retaliation in response to the attacks, which killed 253 people.
They were reportedly targeted because there was a rumour circulating that the attackers looked Pakistani or Afghan.
The BPCA said the asylum seekers were so afraid for their lives that they had resorted to camping outside police stations.
They have reported receiving death threats and being evicted from their homes by landlords fearing reprisals for having them as tenants. Others have said they were beaten up and had their homes broken into or vandalised by rioters.
There were some reports that the mobs were made up of Christians. The BPCA said this could not be verified but Negombo has an extremely high percentage of Catholics and the city's St Sebastians Church was one of the churches attacked on Easter Sunday.
"My family and I were attacked in Dalupothoa when my home was broken into and rioters came in and vandalised the property I rented while we were forced to watch - they began to beat us," one Pakistani Christian asylum seeker who cannot be named for security reasons told the BPCA.
"We were told the violence enacted upon us was in retaliation for the series of recent bomb attacks.
"I begged them to stop beating us and explained that we were innocent and that there were children in my home. The men said our Christian children have been killed why should we save yours.
"The men beating us until other Sri Lankan local residents came to my rescue and explained I was a Christian - even then the gang wanted me out of the area as they said I was a Pakistani first and then Christian.
"I had called 119 for the police when the men first started beating on our door - but no police came.
"My landlord then called me and told me to return his house key as I was being evicted because he had received threats that my building will be burnt down if I stay home.
"We have taken shelter in local police stations after being advised by local Christian leaders, but now we are too fearful to leave their forecourts.
"We believe the threats are real and that we will be killed if we dare to exit outside the station - these people mean us real harm."
The BPCA said around 100 Pakistani Christian asylum seekers had camped outside the police station in Negombo, all of whom had been evicted from their homes following the Easter Sunday attacks.
Wilson Chowdhry, Chairman of the British Pakistani Christian Association, said: "Police and security forces must restore peace in their communities whilst undertaking the necessary sweeps for terrorists throughout Sri Lanka.
"It is a blight on their country that innocent victims are being persecuted, especially as many of those who are being targeted have already suffered a similar fate in their homeland.
"Landlords who have illegaly evicted tenants and gangs who have attacked and threatened innocent migrants must be punished for their exhibited xenophobia.
"Allowing lawlessness and mob rule to destroy the security of the country only serves to further polarise an increasingly agitated people."
He said it was understandable that the people of Negombo would be feeling angry and bitter after the devastating attacks at Easter but he appealed to Christians to respond with love.
"However, retaliation of this type not only targets the wrong individals, but gives the terrorists what they want - weaker less robust communities in which they can sow their hate agenda," he said.
"I appeal to the Christians and other comunities of Negombo to stand strong in the face of such provocation and to extend love instead of hate.
"Together comunities are stronger and more fruitful.
"The bible tells us to love our enemies and to do good to those who hate you - our infallible God knows what is best for us."
The BPCA has launched an appeal to assist with food and other essentials for the families residing in front of Negombo Police station. For more information visit click here
