Religious Liberty Partnership calls for Recognition of National Christian Evangelical Alliance of Sri Lanka.

Release International

Religious liberty organisations united under the Religious Liberty Partnership (RLP) have released a statement on the church in Sri Lanka, calling for official recognition of Sri Lanka's evangelical community as represented by the National Christian Evangelical Alliance of Sri Lanka (NCEASL).

The group celebrates its 60th anniversary this year and is part of the World Evangelical Alliance (WEA), representing 600 million evangelicals worldwide.

'This statement is significant as it is an expression of concern by the global Christian community on issues of rights, justice and equality of all citizens of Sri Lanka,' says Godfrey Yogarajah, Executive Director of the WEA Religious Liberty Commission.

'As a nation emerging from civil war and progressing towards peace, stability, good governance and economic development, Sri Lanka stands at an important juncture in her history and it is essential that all communities are treated equally and able to live in an environment that is conducive to the fullest and unhindered enjoyment of their fundamental freedoms.'

Called the Colombo Statement, it calls on the worldwide church to pray 'against the continued violent attacks on clergy and places of Christian worship,' and that 'all religious communities will enjoy the Constitutional guarantees on religious freedom.'

'Protection of religious freedom is essential if Sri Lanka is to move forward as a nation,' said Release International UK director Colin King.

'The country's long civil war may be over but it is Christians - and particularly evangelicals - who continue to face persecution today. There have been attacks against Christians, but as well as physical violence there is also legal opposition and restrictions with the authorities refusing to recognise non-traditional churches. We urge Christians worldwide to pray for an end to these practices in Sri Lanka so that there may be true religious liberty for all.'

According to the statement, the Religious Liberty Partnership commits 'to work toward the full realisation of the religious rights of all Sri Lankans,' and 'to stand in solidarity with the evangelical Christian community as they seek to have equal rights alongside other religious constituencies in Sri Lanka.'

Mr Yogarajah, leader of the NCEASL, says that the statement is designed to ignite action. 'We pray that this united global voice will encourage the government of Sri Lanka and others concerned to effect changes that will promote freedom of thought, conscience, religion and belief in Sri Lanka.'