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Sri Lanka: Evangelicals Warn Government Proposal May Restrict Religious Freedom

by Karen Faulkner, Worthy News Correspondent

(Worthy News) – A national evangelical association in Buddhist-majority Sri Lanka has raised concerns that a new government proposal may restrict freedom of religion or belief for minority faith groups in the country if enacted, Christian Daily International (CDI) reports.

In a statement, the National Christian Evangelical Alliance of Sri Lanka (NCEASL) warned that the government’s proposal follows a circular issued in 2022 which requires registration for new worship centers, including churches.

“Protestant Christian churches, but especially independent, evangelical churches across Sri Lanka, face uncertainty and potential infringement on their religious freedom due to the existing circular and proposed mandatory registration,” Mike Gabriel, head of the Religious Liberty Commission of the NCEASL, said in a press statement. “Often, churches are asked by the police and local authorities to either register or discontinue churches and religious activities.”

“This undermines constitutional guarantees for religious freedom and non-discrimination in Articles 10, 14, and 12 of the Constitution of Sri Lanka,” Gabriel said. “Mandatory registration of places of worship undermines not only the freedom of religion or belief as enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) and International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) but also the freedom of assembly and association.”

“Often, churches are asked by the police and local authorities to either register or discontinue churches and religious activities,” Gabriel added.

“The government of Sri Lanka should refrain from implementing any law/circular/cabinet memorandum making it mandatory to register a place of worship in the country. If registration is deemed necessary, there should be a transparent and streamlined voluntary process that upholds religious freedom and non-discrimination.”