Main Religion:
Buddhism:70%
Hindus:13%
Christianity:3%
Sri Lanka is recovering from an almost three decade long war that ended with the military victory of the Sri Lankan armed forces in 2009. Stand Asia is working with the National Christian Evangelical Association of Sri Lanka to minister to pastors whose churches and families have been under direct threat and attack by more radical Buddhist groups in the country.
Persecution: There is a high level of persecution against Christians in Sri Lanka. The ethnic Sinhalese majority are expected to be Buddhist. Conversion to Christianity is viewed as a form of betrayal and often leads persecution, with significant pressure on Christians to recant their faith and return to normal family and community ways. Churches have been attacked and Christians are sometimes forced out of their villages.