USCIRF concerned over religious freedom in SL

The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) said it remains concerned over the government's detention of religious minorities through arbitrary use of the Prevention of Terrorism Act and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights Act. 

"Prisoners of conscience, human right defenders, and religious minority communities report fears of surveillance by authorities. Additionally, in the north and east of the country, the Sri Lankan Department of Archeology has increasingly collaborated with local authorities and Buddhist clergy to facilitate the expropriation of Muslim and Hindu religious sites," the USCIRF said.  

The statement comes following the recent visit of USCIRF Commissioners Stephen Schneck and David Curry who travelled to Colombo, Trincomalee and Jaffna and held meetings to assess religious freedom concerns. 

"Challenges regarding the registration of places of worship, particularly churches and mosques, must be addressed by authorities. USCIRF urges the Sri Lankan government, at both local and national levels, to pass guidelines that allow for a more transparent registration process," said Commissioner David Curry. 

"We also call for Sri Lankan authorities to offer more robust protection to religious minorities who report increased acts of discrimination, including intimidation violence and hate speech," they said. 

In 2023, USCIRF recommended Sri Lanka to be included on the U.S.Department of State's Special Watch List for engaging in or tolerating severe religious freedom violations. USCIRF highlighted these concerns in its 2023 Annual Report and in a Country Update on Religious Freedom Conditions in Sri Lanka. 

"USCIRF acknowledges that religious communities have taken initiative to establish inter-faith dialogues at the local level, however, the Sri Lankan government must amend or repeal current discriminatory policies and legislation to allow for greater religious freedom for Hindu, Christian and Muslim minority communities," Commissioner Schneck said.