Church Set on Fire in Puttam district of Sri Lanka

The Voice of Martyrs says:

More than 60 people set fire to a church building used for Sunday school in Puttlam district, the National Christian Evangelical Alliance of Sri Lanka reported. Members of the church who live in the vicinity arrived at the scene and attempted to stop the arson attack and were assaulted by the mob. The attackers threatened children who had also gathered, but their parents took them away to safety. The p astor informed the police about the attack, however, they were not able to bring the large mob under control for some time, but eventually succeeded in dispersing them. Meanwhile on Aug. 17, another church in Puttlam district was set on fire and completely destroyed during the night. A group of people who visited the pastor’s house earlier that evening and threatened him are suspected of having carried out the arson attack. A police complaint has been made and three people have been arrested. Pray for the members of these two churches. Ask God to protect them and provide resources to rebuild the church building. Pray their testimonies will glorify God and draw their persecutors into fellowship with Him.

Note by Ravin: Puttlum distric is predominately Muslim (Islamic) in religious affiliation and culture with pocket-villages of Sinhala Buddhists and Catholics. Very few churches have survied upto now. Many church palnts are colsed or forced to close down. If I am not mistaken, there are less than 12-15 fuctioning churches for the whole of Puttlum district (2796 sq Km). Few of us have tried extrimely hard to reach this district. Please pray for starting of new church-plants and for the on going persicution.

1 Peter 3:14-17