Pastor and wife attacked for defending right to worship
By: Release International-Wednesday, 26 February 2014
A large mob led by Buddhist monks attacked a pastor and his wife in Sri Lanka's Central province when they defended their right to worship.
Eleven monks from the hardline nationalist organisation, Bodu Bala Sena or Buddhist Strength Force (BBS), led about 250 villagers to storm the home of the pastor of Holy Family Church in Asgiriya, Kandy district, on February 16. They demanded that the couple stop holding worship services.
When the pastor and his wife protested, they were dragged outside and assaulted. Later, a senior BBS leader gathered villagers outside the house and warned them against such 'traitors'. He threatened the same treatment for any villager supporting Christian worship.
Meanwhile, Buddhist monks have also been threatening villagers in Warakapola, Sabaragamuwa province, telling them not to support the pastor of the Church of Grace. Signatories of a petition the pastor drafted defending his right to worship have received threats.
Eleven monks from the hardline nationalist organisation, Bodu Bala Sena or Buddhist Strength Force (BBS), led about 250 villagers to storm the home of the pastor of Holy Family Church in Asgiriya, Kandy district, on February 16. They demanded that the couple stop holding worship services.
When the pastor and his wife protested, they were dragged outside and assaulted. Later, a senior BBS leader gathered villagers outside the house and warned them against such 'traitors'. He threatened the same treatment for any villager supporting Christian worship.
Meanwhile, Buddhist monks have also been threatening villagers in Warakapola, Sabaragamuwa province, telling them not to support the pastor of the Church of Grace. Signatories of a petition the pastor drafted defending his right to worship have received threats.
