6. Recent Updates from Sri Lanka, India and ChinaSri Lanka:Sri Lanka's Christian community is facing renewed concerns about futurereligious freedoms following the results from the November 17 presidentialelection. Prior to his election, Mahinda Rajapakse had formed an alliancewith the Jathika Hela Urumaya (JHU), a party composed entirely of Buddhistmonks whose primary purpose has been to pass anti-conversion legislation inSri Lanka. In his first address as president, Rajapakse pledged to protectBuddhism but also provide freedom for all other religions. It remains to beseen how this will be demonstrated. His appointment of RatnasiriWickramanayake as Prime Minister raises further concerns. Wickramanayakehad previously served as Minister of Buddhism and was responsible for theintroduction of the government's anti-conversion bill, ironically called the"Freedom of Religion Bill." For more information on Sri Lanka, go tohttp://www.persecution.net/country/srilanka.htm. A video report from SriLanka is also available at http://www.persecution.tv. India: Last week, the Persecution and Prayer Alert reported on a threat to burnsixty Christians to death if they did not re-convert to Hinduism (seehttp://www.persecution.net/news/india92.html). Compass Direct reported onNovember 21 that because of police intervention, the planned "re-conversion"ceremony was cancelled. The situation in the community remains tense.Twenty villagers met on Sunday for worship, despite the threats.China:The Persecution and Prayer Alert reported on November 9 that the law firmrepresenting Pastor Cai and several other religious rights cases had beensuspended from operations for a year (seehttp://www.persecution.net/news/china97.html). With the visit of U.S.President Bush, the head of the firm, Gao Zhisheng, was ordered to leaveBeijing to prevent him from contacting the U.S. delegation. According to aNovember 22 report from China Aid Association (CAA), Gao now faces theremoval of his license to practice law. He, his wife and 12-year-olddaughter have also faced threats from secret police. Gao reports that thepolice have repeatedly attempted to force his car off the road. Gao hasrecently become a Christian and intends to be baptized in a house churchsoon. CAA encourages concerned Christians, particularly those who know Chinese, toexpress their concern for Brother Gao. His email address isgaozhisheng@263.net. His telephone number is +86-10-81990759. You can alsocontact Wu Yuhua, Director General of the Beijing Judicial Bureau, toexpress your concern about they suspension of Gao's law license atwebmaster@bjsf.gov.cn or phone +86-10-58575683.***********************************The Persecution & Prayer Alert is a ministry of The Voice of the Martyrs,Canada. (Mailing address: P.O. Box 117, Port Credit, Mississauga, OntarioL5G 4L5)Tel. (905) 670.9721. Fax: (905) 670.7642Website: http://www.persecution.net***********************************Contact Person: Glenn Penner, Communications Director.
