Accusations, Intimidation And Violence Against Christians Are Biased And Illegal – NCFSL By Colombo Telegraph -March 28, 2013  While condemning the attacks on the Buddhist clergy in Chennai, India, the National Christian Fellowship Sri Lanka says; “ As Sri Lankans, we are also concerned about the wrongful and distorted bias reporting of some of the electronic as well as print media concerning such attacks. We have documented cases of intimidation, threats, violence and arson, all this in the cause of religious intolerance. “ Attacks on Christian churchesin Sri Lanka/ File Photo/ AFP Issuing a press statement NCFSL says; the NCFSL believes that the attacks are attempted in order to justify the so called ‘unethical conversion’. We publish below the statement in full; NATIONAL CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP OF SRI LANKA CONCERNED OVER ATTACKS ON CHURCHES The National Christian Fellowship Sri Lanka (NCFSL) which represents over 200 indigenous Churches in Sri Lanka, view with serious concern the sudden escalation of violence directed towards Pastors, Christian Workers and religious places of Worship all over Sri Lanka during the recent months. The NCFSL confirms that 23 such incidents have been reported for the year 2013. “ As Sri Lankans, we are also concerned about the wrongful and distorted bias reporting of some of the electronic as well as print media concerning such attacks. We have documented cases of intimidation, threats, violence and arson, all this in the cause of religious intolerance. “ says Rev Rohan Ekanayake General Secretary of the NCFSL. “ We note that Sri  Lanka has suffered greatly through two major insurgencies and a thirty year war which tore at the nation’s heart and caused us all great grief. Not to mention the cost of lives as well the damage caused to the economy. As a nation, we need to ask ourselves whether we need yet another ethnic or religious conflict at this moment of time.” The NCFSL maintains that the laws of natural justice and the Constitution of Sri Lanka in Articles 10 and 14 (1)( e) recognize  the individual’s right to adopt and practice the religion of his choice. “We categorically state that communication of the Gospel is an inseparable part of the practice of our faith.  Correspondingly, we recognize the right to every other religion to proclaim its beliefs. Those who recognize this right may also agree that it is unethical to interfere with the expression of the individual‘s freedom to choose. “ The NCFSL believes that the attacks are attempted in order to justify the so called ‘unethical conversion’. “To the Christian, helping the needy is a necessary part of the practice of their religion. The expression of Christian love and concern includes dealing with both the spiritual and the physical need of the person. While asserting the right to do so and the responsibility of Christians to care for the needy, we condemn the use of charity and care for the needy as an inducement to religious proselytization. If there are any offers of material inducements for the purpose of proselytization, we condemn such their methods as abhorrent to Christianity. “ says Rev Money Ratnam of the NCFSL. The NCFSL says that the accusations, intimidation and violence against Christians are biased and illegal and should not be tolerated in a democratic society such as ours; in essence,  it is a denial of the fundamental human rights of its citizens. We uphold the integrity of a united Sri Lanka.  We condemn the attacks on the Buddhist clergy in Chennai, India.  The use of violence as a means of achieving any end is against the teachings of Christ and cannot be condoned. We assert the need for peace and good will on the basis of mutual recognition, honor and respect for all communities in our multi-ethnic and multi-religious society. We call upon the State to uphold the rule of law and to treat all its citizens equally . We call upon all Christians to unite and to participate in a day of fasting and prayer for the Nation and for the persecuted Church on 8th of April 2013 at Holy Trinity Auditorium, No.784 Prince of Wales Avenue, Colombo 14 at 10.00 a.m. We also call upon the authorities to enable justice to be meted out to all Sri Lankans in this connection including the affected Christian clergy and workers. Stop harassing Muslims – Mangala

By Umesh Moramudali-2013-03-28  Unless the harassment meted out to Muslims stops, Sri Lankan employees in the Middle East could also face similar intimidation by extremists groups in those countries, the UNP warned yesterday. Addressing the media, UNP Parliamentarian Mangala Samaraweera said Muslims are being subject to many forms of harassment by extremist groups with the support of the government. He urged the government to lay down rules protecting the freedom to practice one's religion so as to avert racial disharmony. He pointed out that Sri Lanka, as a country that had signed the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, is bound to protect the freedom of all religions. He also charged that the Ministry of Defence is behind the extremist groups which are harassing the Muslim and Christian communities in the country. "All the extremist groups are funded by the Ministry of Defence. The police are also mute, in this regard," he alleged. He also said if the government is denying the allegations of their connectivity to the extremist groups, they need to introduce anti-harassment laws. "If I want to worship a coconut tree, I have every right to do that as long as it does not harm others. Likewise people should have the right to follow any religious views," he claimed. He also pointed out, 65 religious places were destroyed by various extremist groups after the end of war, but laws pertaining to prevent such atrocities are not strong enough.