Sri Lanka is often referred to as the teardrop on the Indian Ocean, an island nation famous for its idyllic beaches. But the reality of life for religious minorities is very far from idyllic.

Recently we’ve heard reports of a significant increase in violent attacks against religious minorities. In the first nine months of 2013 alone, there were 64 incidents of violence against Christians. This trend has been preceded by rising violence against Muslims. Pressure has increased in part due to the rise of the Bodu Bala Sena (Buddhist Force), who have been responsible for stoking religious hatred against Muslims and Christians across large parts of Sri Lanka, where they have often lived in harmony with Buddhists for years.

The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Navi Pillay, expressed deep concern after her recent official visit to Sri Lanka that the country “is showing signs of heading in an increasingly authoritarian direction”.

Pray for Sri Lanka:

• Pray for an end to attacks on Muslim and Christian communities, and for justice and healing for victims of the violence;
• Pray for a change of heart for extremist groups such as the Bodu Bala Sena;
• Ask God to protect all human rights activists, including those working to promote inter-religious and inter-ethnic harmony;
• Pray for the restoration of relationships between the different religious and ethnic groups;
• Pray that the international community would challenge Sri Lanka on its deteriorating human rights situation;
• Pray that President Rajapaksa and his government would choose a path that upholds the rights of all communities in the country.
• Lent reflection: Read Isaiah 1:17 and pray for the cause of the oppressed to be taken up in Sri Lanka.