The severe political and economic crisis hinders the living conditions of most of the population. “Churches are involved in providing relief”, says an evangelical leader.

“When all these advocates get together in one place, it facilitates collaboration that can actually make a difference to people on the ground”, said Janet Epp Buckingham.

Sri Lanka is facing its worst economic crisis in decades. Evangelicals call to pray that “people may exercise their freedom of expression”.

In November, a senior UN official told civil society, “You need to insist, repeat yourself, send letters to the UN, keep reminding us”.

The National Christian Evangelical Alliance of Sri Lanka publishes a report analysing messages in social media against religious minorities.

A report of the Evangelical Alliance of Sri Lanka warns that law enforcement and judicial systems have not always “provided relief” in cases of discrimination.

Around 88 entities might close because of the economic impact of the pandemic. The Bible Society in England has launched a £5m plan, to save those most at-risk.

The spread of violent Islamic militancy across Sub-Saharan Africa and South-east Asia, and the rise of Christians targeted by organized crime in Latin America, are some of the trends of the 2020 Open Doors WWL.

“MinorMatters” equips citizens to promote religious freedom. “The award shows that promoting understanding among different religious groups can overcome fear”, WEA General Secretary says.

This year International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church is on November 10th. One out of every nine professing Christians face persecution, isolation and violence worldwide.

Three months after the attacks that killed more than 200 people, “tensions between the Buddhists and Muslims continue”, Christians warn.

The Sri Lanka Evangelical Alliance calls upon the public to “refrain from engaging in hateful discourse, turn away from violence and work towards de-escalating tensions in our country”. 

The suicide bomber killed 14 children and 12 adults in the evangelical Zion Church of Batticaloa. “We will continue to fulfil the mission the Lord has given us”, the senior pastor said.

The Evangelical Alliance of Sri Lanka asks the government “to take all steps necessary to arrest the situation swiftly”. The WEA also calls churches around the world to join in prayer.

The bombings are the deadliest attack on Christians in South Asia in recent times. The attacks took place almost simultaneously in three Christian temples and luxury hotels.

The World Evangelical Alliance denounced at the UN Human Rights Council that people in these Asian countries “are experiencing more and more restrictions on freedom of religion or belief”.

Religious identity, nationalism, and violence.

How Sanjayan is making a stand against ragging in Sri Lanka.

Mobs led by Buddhist monks threat church members in several areas of the country. The homes of pastors have been attacked and new legal measures reduce the constitutional right to freedom of worship. 

For 20 years, IDOP has united millions of Christians to denounce and pray for those who suffer persecution. This year, events are being held the first three Sundays of November.