Sri Lanka ‘s climate of fear threatens peace

Mission Network News (01/30/06)

To read the full story, click here: Sri Lanka’s Climate of Fear Threatens Peace

Sri Lanka (MNN) -An upsurge in the violence between the army and Tamil Tiger rebels has created a climate of fear that could jeopardize a fragile peace.

Although both sides returned to negotiations in an effort to end two decades of civil war, there have already been deadly ambushes and the threat of suicide bombers. And yet, word is that the people are ready to move the freedom struggle forward all over the north-east.

The violence has been a setback for ministries in the region. Security concerns can prevent church leaders from traveling to congregations, and evangelists from moving around.

On top of that, Christians go right across the ethnic boundaries. According to Voice of the Martyrs Canada’s Glenn Penner, “There are Tamil Christians, Sinhalese Christians who work side by side, working in the same organizations. This makes things really difficult for them sometimes, as they have family members on either side. And, Christians are sometimes seen as being disloyal to both sides.”

That difficulty has been increasing, though not directly related to the government problems. Penner says, “Terrorism, of course affects everyone, and the rise of Tamil Tiger attacks against the government is something that concerns them greatly. It affects the way in which they can minister, whether they can do evangelistic work, and freedom of travel begins to be affected.”

To read the full story, click here: Climate of Fear Threatens Peace