Anti-Conversion Bill in Sri Lanka

For a number of years, politicians in Sri Lanka have tried to pass an anti-conversion bill in the predominantly Buddhist nation. According to the Jubilee Campaign, a group which works internationally in the area of religious freedom, the latest version of this bill was presented, cloaked in secrecy, for a second reading to the Sri Lankan Parliament. It is expected to go up for a third reading in February and is likely to be passed. The anti-conversion bill would have serious consequences for Christians in Sri Lanka.

The Associated Baptist Press reports this bill was first introduced in 2004 by Sri Lanka's Jathika Hela Urumaya (JHU) Party -- a political party headed by Buddhist monks. The bill would outlaw religious conversions carried out by "force," "allurement" or other unethical means like taking advantage of a person's "inexperience, trust, need, low intellect, naivety or state of distress." The article continues:

Depending on how it's interpreted or enforced, faith-based humanitarian groups fear the law could be used to crack down on all evangelism and encourage violence against evangelical Christians.

JHU, roughly translated in English as National Heritage Party, has sought an anti-conversion bill since 2002. The pending bill, which has government support, has been held up in a committee since 2006 due to constitutional problems.

Fundamentalist Buddhists have long pressured the government to address the "problem" of the growth of Christian churches in rural areas. They accuse Christian organizations of using aid to entice or coerce vulnerable people to change their religion and claim that such conversions jeopardize the nation's Buddhist identity.

JHU leader Omalpe Sobhitha Thero has been quoted as saying the two greatest threats facing Sri Lanka are the Tamil Tigers -- a militant secessionist group branded a terrorist organization by 31 countries, including the United States -- and U.S.-funded Christian missionaries.

Anti-missionary sentiment intensified following the 2004 tsunami, which brought an influx of foreign Christian aid workers, some set on proselytizing.

Sri Lanka's Constitution accords Buddhism a "foremost place" but does not formally recognize it as a state religion. Sri Lanka's Supreme Court, however, has endorsed discrimination against non-Buddhist organizations and stated the growth of Christianity threatens not only the primacy of Buddhism, but its very existence.

The constitution gives members of other faiths a right to freely practice their religion, but the U.S. State Department has raised concerns about sporadic attacks on Christian communities. Some groups allege that the government has tacitly condoned harassment and attacks against Christians by inadequately enforcing the law.

Sri Lanka's population of 19 million is 70 percent Buddhist, 15 percent Hindu, 8 percent Muslim and about 7 percent Christian.

According to the Jubilee Campaign, the most effective way to protest is to pray that the Lord would intervene at this time and then to contact the Sri Lankan embassy. The contact information for the Sri Lankan Embassy in the United States is:

His Excellency Jaliya Wickramasuriya
Ambassador of Sri Lanka
2148 Wyoming Avenue NW
Washington DC 20008
Tel:  (202)-483-4025
Fax: (202)-232-7181
Email: slembassy@slembassyusa.org or consular@slembassyusa.org

Please make a phone call, send a fax, or send an email protesting this bill. Raising awareness with any contacts at the government level would be helpful, as well. A sample of a letter to the Sri Lankan Ambassador can be found below.

His Excellency Jaliya Wickramasuriya
Ambassador of Sri Lanka
2148 Wyoming Avenue NW
Washington DC 20008

Dear Ambassador Wickramasuriya,

I have received word that an anti-conversion bill has been presented twice now to the Sri Lankan Parliament as of January 7 and will likely pass in February when it goes up for its third reading. The passage of an anti-conversion bill has serious implications for religious minorities and for the freedom of religious expression and choice for all people of Sri Lanka and must be stopped.

If vulnerable and poor people are forced to convert in order to receive certain resources or aid from religious groups, this is not to be taken lightly and merits investigation based on unethical behavior. However, passing a law that would ultimately deny the right for a person to choose to convert is morally and legally unacceptable because of the negative effects it will have on many upstanding citizens of Sri Lanka and in contravention of universally accepted religious freedom standards.

The people of Sri Lanka should have the freedom to convert without fear of police intervention, discrimination or oppression. The draft bill which proposes to summarily try anyone accused of attempting to cause forcible conversion is vaguely written and will stifle acts of charitable kindness.   Proposed punishments of imprisonment for a term up to five years and fines up to Rs. 150,000 are harsh and draconian. These punishments could be very easily manipulated to promote the demise of religious minorities.

Please take a stand with your government today and ask Parliament not to pass this bill. A timely response is necessary. We have seen these anti-conversion laws used against religious minorities in many countries, including India, Pakistan, Iran, and Sudan, to justify killings, torture, and persecution. Please work diligently to promote religious freedom for your people and use the law to promote the tolerance of all beliefs.

Sincerely,

Ann Buwalda
Executive Director, Jubilee Campaign USA

UPDATE: The comments function is now closed on this post. But your prayers are more than welcome!

Comments

[Fr.noel DIas]

I fully endorse the statement of Ann:
"The people of Sri Lanka should have the freedom to convert without fear of police intervention, discrimination or oppression. The draft bill which proposes to summarily try anyone accused of attempting to cause forcible conversion is vaguely written and will stifle acts of charitable kindness. Proposed punishments of imprisonment for a term up to five years and fines up to Rs. 150,000 are harsh and draconian. These punishments could be very easily manipulated to promote the demise of religious minorities ".

The Catholic Bishop's Conference of Sri Lanka has proposed that instead of penalising the so called 'unethical conversions',it is better to appoint a Commission to Promote religious harmony.

I fully endorse the position of the Baptist Church and the Catholic Church of Sri Lanka.

Fr.noel Dias (Senior Lecturer, Faculty of Law University of Colomb: Judge, Matrimonial COurt of Archdiocese of Colomb, Sri Lanka)

[Devi]

Thanks so much for posting this. I'm a Sri Lankan who grew up overseas, and this bill makes me so angry. Sri Lanka had a unique situation for most of its colonial and post-colonial existence in that four major religions co-existed peacefully - hinduism, buddhism, islam and christianity. This bill makes me mad as a Christian but also as a Sri Lankan because it is not what my country used to stand for.

[Ramesh]

I think People of Srilanka should have religious fredom like in India .Please note the few years back Anti conversion Bill was made and nullified after its failure and public protest in Tamilnadu state of India.

[George Perera]

Keep up the good work Anna, our prayers are with you.

[Dr I.M.C.Fernando -UK]

This has nothing to do with religious freedom. This has everything to do with proselytism and this should be condemned.Buddhists never proselytize and expect the same behaviour from other religions.However,recent events in Sri Lanka prove otherwise,hence the absolute need for an anti-conversion bill.Buddhism is man made and does not need a creator god- hence its appeal worldwide. I urge the Sri Lankan Government to reconsider introducing the bill.