February 2001 World Headlines

Tuesday, February 20, 2001 - Web posted at 9:28:36 AM GMT

Mob attacks church in Sri Lanka

COLOMBO - A machete-wielding mob attacked a Christian church in north central Sri Lanka, wounding several worshippers and wrecking the building, police and residents said yesterday.

They said the attack occurred on Sunday in the village of Nuwarawatte, about 200 km northeast of the capital Colombo, when several dozen people were attending a service in the church which is used by an evangelical group."

"We have arrested three people from the village and are conducting investigations," D. M. Gunatilake, assistant superintendent of police in the area, told Reuters.

Christians account for about 10 per cent of Sri Lanka's overwhelmingly Buddhist population of 20 million.

Proselytising by Christian groups often angers members of the Buddhist community.

Gunatilake did not identify attackers' religion and did not say how many people were wounded but witnesses said about 35 people were severely beaten and three people were in serious condition.

- Nampa-Reuters

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