Sri Lankan Christians Face Rising Pressure from Hindu Nationalist Movements

Religious freedom monitors and the National Christian Evangelical Alliance of Sri Lanka (NCEASL) report that Christians in the country's northern and eastern provinces are facing increased pressure from emerging Hindu nationalist groups. While persecution in Sri Lanka has historically been associated with Sinhala-Buddhist nationalism, researchers note that organizations such as Siva Senai, Rudra Sena, and Ravana Sena are now actively targeting Christian presence in Tamil-majority regions.

According to a report by the Center for the Study of Organized Hate, these groups have been building grassroots influence since 2016, often drawing ideological and organizational support from Hindu right-wing movements in India. Siva Senai leadership has confirmed consultations with Indian organizations, including the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh and Vishva Hindu Parishad, to protect Hindu heritage from what they describe as the encroachment of other faiths.

NCEASL officials state that while the rhetoric regarding forced conversions mirrors patterns seen in the south, the framework is distinctly Hindu nationalist. This shift creates a complex environment for Tamil-Hindu converts, who now face opposition from both Sinhala-Buddhist and Tamil-Hindu nationalist fronts.