Christians Worry as Sri Lanka's Anti-Conversion Bill Draft Approved

In Sri Lanks the "Prohibition of forced Conversions' Bill" went to parliament for a second reading on Friday 6 May 2005. The parliament approved the draft and the bill was then referred to a Standing Committee. At this stage, according to the Sri Lankan Parliamentary procedure, the law can be corrected and altered slightly before a final reading and voting.

The issue has attracted the attention of people from various faith and human right's protection groups and committees. The United Nation's (UN) Asma Jahangir visited Sri Lanka and held meetings with respective authorities concerning religious freedom.

Among the Christian societies, alliances are being formed to oppose the proposed bill. Over 2,500 people came together on 7 May 2005 from several denominations, such as Catholic, Protestant and Evangelical Christian communities, for a special meeting organised by the "Solidarity for Religious Freedom" and the Catholic Diocese of Chilaw.

The meeting was hosted by the Roman Catholic Bishop of Chilaw, Rev. Dr. Frank Marcus, the Anglican Bishop of Kurunegala, Rt. Rev. Kumura Illangasekera, leaders from Evangelical Christian Denominations, the Hon. Minister of Christian Affairs Milroy Fernando and many others also attended the gathering.

During his speech, Bishop Frank Marcus expressed that the law would potentially affect the whole Christian community worldwide and its influence would also reach other confessions. He believed that it would restrict the human rights of all inhabitants, including Buddhists, as cited on Persecution.org.

Among those who are troubled by the anti-conversion law is Pope Benedict XVI. However, during the visit by Sri Lanka's bishops in Rome, he strongly encouraged them to preach the gospel: "The Church in Sri Lanka is young -- a third of the population of your country is under the age of 15 -- and this gives great hope for the future. Religious education in schools must therefore be a high priority," he said during the address.

Christians in Sri Lanka make up only 7% of the population which consists of more than 70% Buddhists. Many church leaders are concerned about the impact of the law will have on expressing freely the Christian faith and on evangelism. Many international Christian groups are watching the work of the Sri Lankan government very closely, and are waiting for the final voting in Parliament.