Pastor’s family attacked and injured by Buddhist neighbors
In north-central Sri Lanka, two Buddhist neighbors attacked Pastor Fredrick Wilson and his son, leaving the younger man with serious injuries. The family is visibly shaken by the experience.
For years, Pastor Wilson has led a small evangelical church congregation in the city of Anuradhapura in northern Sri Lanka. But in recent months, they have faced increasing hostility and threats from Buddhist neighbors. This culminated in an assault that occurred late one Monday night.
At around 10.45 p.m., Wilson heard two Buddhist neighbors yelling outside his home. When the pastor went outside to check, the neighbors hit him with a shovel. His face contorted in pain, Wilson fled into his house.
When Wilson’s son returned home half an hour later, he was met outside the entrance by the two angry neighbors who beat him severely with a cricket bat. The pastor’s son suffered severe injuries to his neck, both hands and knees.
Wilson took his injured son to the hospital in Anuradhapura. He then filed a complaint at the local police station.
Emergency aid
CSI partners in Sri Lanka supported the pastor’s family with emergency financial aid and legal assistance. Wilson expressed his heartfelt thanks.
At the same time, he is close to despair: “Our church members have also been threatened by neighbors. They don’t dare come to church anymore.”
This, he says, has had a drastic effect on donations. As a result, the Wilson family continues to rely on support.
Reto Baliarda
