Prejudice and Patronage: An Analysis of Incidents of Violence against Christians, Muslims, Hindus in Sri Lanka (September 2019 – September 2020)

Abstract

This study offers insights in key trends and drivers of religious violence from September 2019 to September 2020. A total of 63 incidents of violence against Christians as well as episodes of discrimination against Muslims and Hindus and analysed.

The study also provides a new method of classifying incidents of anti-Christian violence that allow for (i) an analysis of the severity of violence in relation to the perpetrator’s authority level and (ii) an analysis of the nature of police action in relation to the violence severity.

Overall, the findings of the study suggest a concerning pattern of state prejudice against minority faith groups and state protection of officials who restrict the religious beliefs of minorities.