Status of religious freedom in Sri Lanka
Encyclopedia
Freedom of religion in Sri Lanka
has been historically upheld through religious tolerance
and multiculturalism
. The practice of Hinduism
was allowed under Sinhala kings since the Anuradhapura era. Buddhist Sinhala kings gave protection to Muslims fleeing from Portuguese persecution and to Catholics fleeing from persecution by the Dutch after having defeated by the Portuguese.
This coexistence has been recently marred by isolated incidents and attacks on religious places by Buddhist mobs and by LTTE terrorists.
Several Hindu temples were attacked in the riots of 1983 in Colombo
and South of Sri Lanka.
Two of the holiest sites for Buddhists in Sri Lanka, the Sri Maha Bodhi Tree and the Temple of the Tooth
, have been attacked and bombed by the LTTE. In recent times, the LTTE have also attacked several Muslim mosques in the North-Eastern parts of the country.
Recently there has been attacks against various Christian
organizations, with Buddhists and Hindus claiming th,nmjb lb ey use ‘unethical’ ways and means to spread religion.
It is also noted recently that Majority Sinhalese Buddhist have organized vigilante
groups who threaten religious activities of Hindus, Christians and Muslims by forceful intimidation
and threats to stop construction of places of worship.
Most of Buddhist temples including Buddhist archeological sites in Northern province and Eastern province have been destroyed by Tamil militants.
Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka, officially the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka is a country off the southern coast of the Indian subcontinent. Known until 1972 as Ceylon , Sri Lanka is an island surrounded by the Indian Ocean, the Gulf of Mannar and the Palk Strait, and lies in the vicinity of India and the...
has been historically upheld through religious tolerance
Freedom of religion
Freedom of religion is a principle that supports the freedom of an individual or community, in public or private, to manifest religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship, and observance; the concept is generally recognized also to include the freedom to change religion or not to follow any...
and multiculturalism
Multiculturalism
Multiculturalism is the appreciation, acceptance or promotion of multiple cultures, applied to the demographic make-up of a specific place, usually at the organizational level, e.g...
. The practice of Hinduism
Hinduism
Hinduism is the predominant and indigenous religious tradition of the Indian Subcontinent. Hinduism is known to its followers as , amongst many other expressions...
was allowed under Sinhala kings since the Anuradhapura era. Buddhist Sinhala kings gave protection to Muslims fleeing from Portuguese persecution and to Catholics fleeing from persecution by the Dutch after having defeated by the Portuguese.
This coexistence has been recently marred by isolated incidents and attacks on religious places by Buddhist mobs and by LTTE terrorists.
Several Hindu temples were attacked in the riots of 1983 in Colombo
Colombo
Colombo is the largest city of Sri Lanka. It is located on the west coast of the island and adjacent to Sri Jayawardenapura Kotte, the capital of Sri Lanka. Colombo is often referred to as the capital of the country, since Sri Jayawardenapura Kotte is a satellite city of Colombo...
and South of Sri Lanka.
Two of the holiest sites for Buddhists in Sri Lanka, the Sri Maha Bodhi Tree and the Temple of the Tooth
Temple of the Tooth
Sri Dalada Maligawa or The Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic is a Buddhist temple in the city of Kandy, Sri Lanka. It is located in the royal palace complex which houses the Relic of the tooth of Buddha. Since ancient times, the relic has played an important role in local politics because it is...
, have been attacked and bombed by the LTTE. In recent times, the LTTE have also attacked several Muslim mosques in the North-Eastern parts of the country.
Recently there has been attacks against various Christian
Christianity
Christianity is a monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus as presented in canonical gospels and other New Testament writings...
organizations, with Buddhists and Hindus claiming th,nmjb lb ey use ‘unethical’ ways and means to spread religion.
It is also noted recently that Majority Sinhalese Buddhist have organized vigilante
Vigilante
A vigilante is a private individual who legally or illegally punishes an alleged lawbreaker, or participates in a group which metes out extralegal punishment to an alleged lawbreaker....
groups who threaten religious activities of Hindus, Christians and Muslims by forceful intimidation
Intimidation
Intimidation is intentional behavior "which would cause a person of ordinary sensibilities" fear of injury or harm. It's not necessary to prove that the behavior was so violent as to cause terror or that the victim was actually frightened.Criminal threatening is the crime of intentionally or...
and threats to stop construction of places of worship.
Most of Buddhist temples including Buddhist archeological sites in Northern province and Eastern province have been destroyed by Tamil militants.