A Christian pastor has been shot dead by security forces in Jaffna, Sri Lanka, on 13 January, according to a report from the National Christian Evangelical Alliance of Sri Lanka (NCEASL).

Rev Nallathamby Gnanaseelan, aged 38, was the Pastor of the Tamil Mission Church in Jaffna. He was a member of the NCEASL, and according to their report, he was not engaged in any political activity.

Rev Gnanaseelan was killed on Chapel Street after he had taken his wife and daughter to hospital, Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) has told Christian Today.

According to reports, he was shot in the stomach and then in the head. His Bible, bag, identity card and motorcycle were taken away and he was left in the road.

Sri Lankan security forces initially claimed he had been carrying explosives, and then said he was shot because he failed to stop when challenged.

In recent months there has been a dramatic upsurge in violence in Sri Lanka, particularly in Jaffna, as the conflict between the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) and the government has escalated.