Source: www.buddhach annel.tv
[HPI note: This proposed anti-conversion bill in Sri Lanka is likely to affect Hindus, considering that relief work and proselytizing are often tied together.]
SRI LANKA, April 26, 2009: Christian organizations in Sri Lanka have been almost unanimously critical of a proposed Anti-Conversion Bill. Twenty-four prominent Christians recently joined in signing a letter sent to all Parliamentarians.
In response to that letter, the Joint Committee of Buddhist Organizations stated that although they welcome the desire of Christian churches for an integrated Sri Lankan nation, they consider some of the Christian activities to be highly questionable.
Iinter-religious tensions and suspicions have been on the increase. Bishop Malcolm Ranjith, Secretary General of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference, wrote, “The good relations that exist between the Buddhists and Christian Churches could easily be disturbed because of the unethical manner in which nontraditional Evangelical churches go about their conversions. They have their own ways of reaching out to non Christians to win them over — ways that have been resented by the Buddhist clergy.”