by

National Christian Evangelical Alliance of Sri Lanka

(Text of Press Release Issued by the National Christian Evangelical Alliance of Sri Lanka)

The National Christian Evangelical Alliance of Sri Lanka (NCEASL) is deeply concerned regarding the
prevalence in Sri Lanka of an organized campaign of hatred against adherents of non‐majority
faiths.

In recent months Muslims and Christians alike have faced numerous attacks and violence against
their practice of worship. Additionally Muslim owned business establishments and Muslim women
in their religious attire have faced attack and assault.

These attacks have occurred with impunity. In most instances there have been no arrests and
punitive action taken, though the attacks have occurred openly with eye witnesses, video and
photographic evidence available. The law enforcement authorities have been generally passive
onlookers in the outrageous assault on basic human rights and liberties, including religious
freedom, economic and cultural rights of minority religious communities.

On going social violence against ethnic and religious minorities is a phenomenon that Sri Lanka can
ill afford, as it struggles to reconcile after close upon three decades of civil war. Internationally, Sri
Lanka’s request for time and space to reconcile, subsequent to two resolutions at the United
Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC), sound hollow and lack credibility in the face of ongoing
intimidation and violence against ethnic and religious minorities.

There are two alarming factors about the current situation. The first is that the violence seem to
be organized and orchestrated by two organizations. Hence the violence has sustainability.
Secondly and most alarmingly both the extremist violent organizations seemingly have patronage
and support from authorities and hence the impunity with which they operate.

The NCEASL in this period right after Easter Sunday reminds Christians that just as Jesus Christ
before his accusers was silent like a lamb as He was led the cross, so we must not and will not
retaliate against those that perpetrate violence against us, while we strive to enjoy our
fundamental constitutional human rights.

However, the NCEASL calls upon the Government of Sri Lanka to make clear its commitment to
equity in the context of our multi‐ethnic and multi‐religious society, desist from actions, words and
political signals that provide patronage to extremist organizations and to instruct its law
enforcement and security authorities to stop majoritarian vigilantism, enforce the law and ensure
the peace.
03. 04. 2013