Freedom of religion in Sri Lanka

Freedom of religion in Sri Lanka is a protected right under Chapter II, Article 9 of the constitution of Sri Lanka. This applies to all religions, though Buddhism is given the foremost place under the 1978 Republican Constitution. Sri Lanka is regarded by its Supreme Court as being a secular state.^[1]^[2]

Limitations on proselytism were outlined by the Supreme Court of Sri Lanka in 2018, with the ruling against a Catholic organisation stating that the provision of economic and financial support to vulnerable individuals while promulgating a faith was an infringement upon those individuals' right to freedom of religion.^[3]^[4]

In 2023, the country was scored 2 out of 4 for religious freedom.^[5]

^ Sri Lanka Supreme Court, Penal Code (Amendment) Bill: document SC SD No. 13/2023
^ https://www.lawnet.gov.lk/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/018-SLLR-SLLR-2007-V-1-ASHIK-v.-BANDULA-AND-OTHERSNoise-Pollution-Case.pdf ^{[bare URL PDF]}
^ Sri Lanka: Sharp increase in violence against Christians. World Watch Monitor (2018-10-29). Retrieved 2019-04-22.
^ A Bill titled "Provincial of the Teaching Sisters of the Holy Cross of the Third Order of Saint Francis in Menzingen of Sri Lanka (Incorporation)". Supreme Court of Sri Lanka. Retrieved 2019-04-22.
^ Freedom House website, retrieved 2023-08-08

[1] Sri Lanka Supreme Court, Penal Code (Amendment) Bill: document SC SD No. 13/2023

[2] ttps://www.lawnet.gov.lk/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/018-SLLR-SLLR-2007-V-1-ASHIK-v.-BANDULA-AND-OTHERSNoise-Pollution-Case.pdf ^{[bare URL PDF]}

[3] Sri Lanka: Sharp increase in violence against Christians. World Watch Monitor (2018-10-29). Retrieved 2019-04-22.

[4] A Bill titled "Provincial of the Teaching Sisters of the Holy Cross of the Third Order of Saint Francis in Menzingen of Sri Lanka (Incorporation)". Supreme Court of Sri Lanka. Retrieved 2019-04-22.

[5] Freedom House website, retrieved 2023-08-08

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]

[5]