Sri Lanka

Partner with Local Missionaries in Sri Lanka

Located in the 10/40 Window

Sri Lanka, a teardrop-shaped island country off the southern coast of India is famous for its natural beauty, cultural diversity, and tea production.

The Sinhalese people, who comprise around three-fourths of Sri Lanka’s population, are Buddhists who follow the Hindu caste system. Half of the Sinhalese belong to the farming caste, raising animals or crops using primitive farming methods. A three-decade long civil war between the Sinhalese majority and Tamil separatists, who wanted an independent state on the north side of the island, ended in 2009. An estimated 60,000 to 100,000 people were killed in conflict.

Nearly 45 percent of Sri Lankans live on less than $5 a day, and the country suffers from high rates of undernourishment, stunted growth and malnourishment, especially in children, according to the non-profit Borgen Project.

Many children in Sri Lanka, considered a major center of pedophilia, are vulnerable to abuse and exploitation. Several indigenous ministries are protecting such children, sheltering them and providing them with food, clothing, medical treatment, and discipleship in God’s Word. One of these ministries runs a rescue home for marginalized and exploited children, providing them with education, spiritual guidance, the saving knowledge of the Lord, and involvement with the local church where they get to attend Sunday school, Bible study, and prayer groups. Many of these children have grown up to serve in the ministry.

“Children, dirty and hungry, began arriving on our doorstep,” wrote the ministry leader. “Many of the children who came to our center had been abused by alcoholic and drug-addicted parents.”

With help from Christian Aid Mission, the ministry built a girls’ shelter and, later, a separate shelter for boys. Their literacy center provides children from four slums with an education. They also have a women’s shelter, where they provide a safe, caring environment for young women who have been raped or otherwise abused.

Other indigenous ministries in Sri Lanka share the gospel with unreached Hindus and Buddhists, helping poor families send their children to school and providing for their basic needs. Another ministry is bringing the gospel to remote villages and the Free Trade Zone where over 100,000 young men and women labor in 180 factories

Sources: Joshua Project, CIA World Factbook, Borgen Project

21 million

Population

Unknown

Evangelical Population:

174

People Groups:

Unreached People Groups:

How to Pray for Sri Lanka

Pray that God would open the eyes of the people of Sri Lanka to the truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Pray for God’s protection on Sri Lanka’s vulnerable children, that many would come to know Him and grow up to serve Him.
Pray for the indigenous ministries working in Sri Lanka, that God would grant them every provision to continue sharing Christ’s love and truth with people in need of a Savior.

More stories from Sri Lanka

Help Expand God’s Kingdom in Sri Lanka

The gospel is spreading as native ministry workers distribute Bibles and gospel tracts and visit hospital patients and homes. A worker visited one home where the children were going hungry because their father had spent the meager household income in failed efforts to cure his wife’s illness and demonic bondage. “One of our workers invited them to a Friday prayer meeting,” the ministry leader said. “All the workers prayed and delivered her from the demon. Now all the family comes to church and took baptism, and they are living happy lives with Jesus.” Donations are sought for such gospel work. Pray the Lord would provide more workers to proclaim Christ’s kingdom.

Provide Critical Care for the Needy in Sri Lanka

Villagers that once opposed outreach are now more welcoming after seeing and experiencing God’s love through local Christian workers’ aid to the poor. “These days village poor people are suffering,” the native ministry leader said. “Our workers are visiting these suffering people and sharing food, teaching English to children and living with these poor people, which has helped much to change communities.” Workers are also visiting a growing number of sick people, praying for them and seeing healing and salvation. They need donations of $35 or $70 to bring Christ’s love to the needy. Pray workers will help the poor overcome hardship resulting from socio-economic turmoil.

Help Needy Children in Sri Lanka

Economic and political chaos left destitute kids in even greater need, but a native ministry’s school was able to continue providing classes and nutrition. “Some were coming to school without even breakfast,” the ministry leader said. “We were able to distribute 40 food boxes with essential items five times this year.” When stoppages in electrical power, fuel and transportation kept students at home, the ministry provided tutoring classes to help them keep up. Workers need donations to help build the lives of children academically, spiritually and emotionally. Pray the Lord will fulfill His purposes for children who grow up knowing Him.

Help Form Witnesses for Christ in Sri Lanka

Villagers opposed to gospel outreach softened after seeing aid that native Christian workers brought. “Village people changed as we were helping poor people and children,” the ministry leader said. Workers visited the poor with food and help for their children, including tutoring in English and school supplies, opening paths to share Christ with parents. Healing prayer has also opened people to Christ, including a woman who suffered chest pain for six months. “We prayed, and she got healing,” the ministry leader said. “Now she is testifying to village people.” Donations are sought for such gospel outreach. Pray the Holy Spirit would go before workers proclaiming Christ.

Support Evangelism and Discipleship in Sri Lanka

A native Christian worker making home visits prayed for a sick family member, and then invited her to a Friday prayer meeting. Christians prayed for her there and at a Sunday morning worship service that she attended. “She said she felt a little better, and she contentedly came on Sundays for three months,” the ministry leader said. “Now she is completely healed, praise the Lord, and she is in our church baptism class.” In another village, three families recently put their faith in Christ as Lord and Savior. Workers need donations of $25 or $50 to bring the Word of salvation to hurting people and follow up with new believers. Pray that outreaches of various kinds would save souls and transform lives.

Help Bring Gospel Transformation in Sri Lanka

As economic and political crises led to medicine shortages, native missionaries invited many sick people to worship services where they received healing prayer. One woman who had suffered for six months with chest pain received healing and is now testifying of the Lord’s power to other villagers. “Some villages were strongly against the Good News of Jesus, but now the people have changed, as they know we are helping poor people and children,” the ministry leader said. “Through work among youth and children, we are winning people to Christ.” Workers need donations of $25 or $50 for such gospel outreaches. They request prayer for more people to receive Christ’s grace.