Security in Sri Lanka tightened in response to new bomb threat

In photo: Aftermath of the 2019 Easter Bombing in Zion Church, Sri Lanka

We continue to ask for prayers for Sri Lanka as there have been warnings of more possible attacks on Catholic churches between the 15th (yesterday) and the 25th of October. The security forces have tightened security because of this.

In this piece by the Sunday Times, it says the warning came from Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith when he appealed to President Maithripala Sirisena to “review their security plans for the period in question.” The piece also says that the threat has been verified by state intelligence services, but was denied by the police unit later on. Perhaps the most alarming part of the article is the part where they said three new bombs have been found near St. Mary’s church in Rawattawatte, Moratuwa in the first week of October. We’ve looked for other sources that could verify this information but so far no other local news outlet has reported on this yet. The army reports finding three hand grenades in an abandoned land also in Moratuwa, but we don’t know for sure yet if these are the same explosives found near St. Mary’s.

Regardless, we ask for prayers. The attacks last Easter Sunday were devastating enough and it brought back the fear people had during the war. Please pray that another attack will not take place. Our local team also asks you to pray for the safety of the people and for wisdom for the relevant authorities in charge.

Aside from this, please pray that God would strengthen the church as another attack could drastically weaken the faith of many believers. They say the level of fear among believers has already increased. Pray for guidance for pastors and church leaders to encourage their believers, and pray for the Holy Spirit to give peace and comfort to the people of Sri Lanka.