Source: www.persecution.org
Date: October 27, 2020
Sri Lanka (International Christian Concern) – According to Barnabas Fund, a pastor in Sri Lanka has been forced to close his ministry after being detained by police and threatened by Buddhist monks.
On Sunday, October 18, police arrived at the pastor’s house in Bakamuna, located in the Polonnaruwa district of Sri Lanka. Police ordered the pastor, whose identity Barnabas Fund has kept secret for security reasons, to immediately report to the local police station.
Following the police’s instructions, the pastor went to the police station. At the station, he was taken into an office crowded with Buddhist monks. With the pastor’s church attendance list in their possession, the monks went on to issue a series of threats against the pastor and demanded his ministry be closed.
According to Barnabas Fund, the pastor’s church has endured similar threats in the past five years. However, in light of these most recent threats, the pastor has decided to close down his ministry.
Barnabas Fund reports that Christians make up 8% of Sri Lanka’s total population and face frequent persecution and local opposition. Barnabas Fund notes that this persecution and opposition is often led of Buddhist monks.
HOW TO PRAY: Pray for protection for this pastor and his church. Pray for him to be able to operate his ministry freely. Pray for more accountability for the monks issuing threats.