Nestling off the southern tip of India, the tropical island of Sri Lanka has beguiled travelers for centuries with its palm-fringed beaches, diverse landscapes and historical monuments. But for nearly two decades, the island was scarred by a bitter civil

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Sri Lanka in the world map
Beautiful beaches of Sri Lanka
Children of Sri Lanka
Nestling off the southern tip of India, the
tropical island of Sri Lanka has beguiled
travelers for centuries with its palm-fringed
beaches, diverse landscapes and historical
monuments. But for nearly two decades, the island
was scarred by a bitter civil war arising out of
ethnic tensions between Sinhalese and Tamils. The
Sinhalese are the largest ethnic group in the
country, officially comprising 11 million people
or 74 percent of the population. Approximately 70
percent of the population is Buddhist, 15 percent
is Hindu, 8 percent is Christian (including
Catholics), and 7 percent is Muslim. While the
Constitution contains a statement guarding
freedom of religion, many Christian activities
are seen to violate the special status awarded
Buddhism. Amendments to existing laws and the
introduction of a new law would only serve to
further hinder religious freedoms within Sri
Lanka. Christians in the country are deeply
concerned over the legal proceedings that could
bring about yet more persecution.
Population 19.4 million (UN, 2005) Capital
Colombo (commercial), Sri Jayawardenepura
(administrative) Area 65,610 sq km (25,332 sq
miles) Major languages Sinhala, Tamil, English
Major religions Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam,
Christianity Life expectancy 71 years (men), 77
years (women) (UN) Monetary unit Sri Lankan
rupee Main exports Clothing and textiles, tea,
gems, rubber, coconuts GNI per capita US 1,010
(World Bank, 2005)
Country flag
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Buddhist statues can be seen everywhere around
the country
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There are 4 active AWANA clubs in Sri Lanka
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The children in two of the AWANA clubs in the
capital Colombo are locals as well from other
western countries like USA and Korea.
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Sri Lankans are very friendly people by nature
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The children in the war and Tsunami affected
areas are living in poverty and are going
through difficult times.
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Pray with us

• Pray for protection for Christians as they are
  confronted by opposition.
• Pray for a lasting peace in Sri Lanka's civil war
  
• Pray that the Gospel message will continue to
  grow and that many will come to Christ, despite
  the opposition
• Pray for the 4 AWANA clubs in Sri Lanka and the
  leaders of the clubs

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Challenges

• Reaching out to rural areas need to have AWANA
  handbooks in national languages
• Sinhala and Tamil
• Tamil handbooks are available
• Sinhala handbooks would be a great help.
• Churches dont consider the childrens ministry
  as an important one.
• Reaching the rebel controlled areas is extremely
  difficult.
• The people have both physical and spiritual
  needs.
• Persecution is on the increase in Sri Lanka

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For more information

• http//www.persecution.net/country/srilanka.htm
• http//www.christiantoday.com/news/missions/christ
  ian.persecution.intensifying.in.sri.lanka/413.htm
• http//www.lankalibrary.com/