Inaction and Impunity: Incidents of Religious Violence Targeting Christians, Muslims and Hindus (2015-2019)

Abstract

Ethno-religious violence in Sri Lanka is a chronic and systemic problem that has continued despite successive changes in government. This study examines the key trends of incidents of violence faced by minority Christian, Muslim and Hindu groups in Sri Lanka between 2015 and 2019. In 2015, the National Christian Evangelical Alliance of Sri Lanka and Verité Research released Silent Suppression: Restrictions on Religious Freedoms of Christians 1994-2004, a 20-year trend analysis report on ethno-religious violence. This study build on that previous report by analysing 397 incidents of Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB) violations against Christians, multiple incidents of anti-Muslim riots, and discrimination against Hindu communities in the Northern and Eastern Provinces. The findings of the study highlight a concerning trend of increased involvement of state officials as both active and passive actors in violations against minority communities. Moreover, the study finds that religious violence is sustained invariably through the action or inaction of the state.