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Sri Lankan President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga has warned that anyone who incites the Buddhist public to attack Christians and their places of worship will be dealt with firmly. In a public statement, Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga appealed to the media to act responsibly and help promote ethnic and religious harmony. The warning came after the government received intelligence indicating organized Buddhist lobby groups with political patronage were preparing to incite anti-Christian attacks. This latest wave of hostilities was sparked by the sudden death of one of Sri Lanka's most revered monks. Gangodawila Soma Thero, a champion of Buddhist nationalism, died in mid-December while visiting Russia. Although an autopsy confirmed he died of natural causes, the Sri Lankan media has speculated on the "mystery" surrounding his death, suggesting a possible Christian conspiracy. Some of the monk's supporters even claimed that he was No. 4 on a "hit list" of an unnamed Christian group. Tamils were also targeted after false rumors that some members of the ethnic group denigrated the deceased monk. Soma founded a prominent Buddhist lobby group called the Sasana Sevaka Sangamaya. He referred to Christian charities as "instruments of a diabolical conspiracy by Christian powers to convert and corrupt the Sinhalese Buddhist public." (Christian Solidarity Worldwide)

MILITANT HINDU GROUP IN INDIA PLANS FILM HONORING STAINES' MURDERER

Leaders of the militant Hindu group Bajrang Dal plan to produce a film honoring Dara Singh, convicted murderer of Australian missionary Graham Staines and his two young sons. In November 2003, a week after prominent filmmaker Sunil Agnihotri unveiled his bilingual film project titled, "The Murder of a Missionary," which commends the work of Graham Staines, Bajrang Dal leaders announced plans to produce "Dara: The Hero." The Hindu fundamentalist group also threatened to disrupt the shooting of Agnihotri's film in Orissa state. "For us, Staines was nothing less than a villain," said Subash Chouhan, state convener of the Bajrang Dal. "By killing Staines and his sons, Dara surely committed a crime. But his activities pertaining to conversion were good. That's what we want to portray." Chouhan refused to comment on whether the film would reenact the killing since his comments might endanger Singh's appeal against the death sentence, now pending in the Orissa High Court. (Compass)

GOVERNMENT DENIES CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS TO INDIA'S DALIT CHRISTIANS

The Indian government has rejected demands that social benefits be extended to Dalit Christians and Muslims. A clause in the 1950 Constitution of India enshrined the right of Hindu Dalits - people outside of the caste system -- to "social reservations" for jobs and educational placements. At that time, the Dalits comprised 15 percent of the population. The right to social reservations has since been extended to Dalits who become Sikhs and Buddhists; however, the government has not done the same for Christians. Social Justice Minister Satyanarayan Jatiya justified the policy, saying that Hindu Dalits suffered most from the social and economic discrimination under India's caste system. The All India Christian Council and a number of human rights organizations plan to take the issue to court and lobby high government officials. "Separate treatment of Dalit Christians on the basis of religion amounts to discrimination by the government and a violation of constitutional principles," said Pappu Yadav, leader of the opposition party Janata Dal. (Compass)

* "The Voice of the Great Southland," the shortwave station operated by HCJB World Radio-Australia, airs more than 44 hours of weekly English programming across India. Two half-hour programs in Urdu, airing Monday through Saturday, went on the air in July 2003, and a daily 15-minute program in Hindi began in January. A studio with programming and a follow-up center has been established in New Delhi. In partnership with FEBA Radio, HCJB World Radio also airs weekly Christian programs to eastern India via shortwave in three languages: Bhojpuri, Chattisgarhi and Mundari.

WORLD VISION TO REBUILD CLINICS DESTROYED BY QUAKE IN IRAN

World Vision International will rebuild health clinics destroyed during the Bam earthquake under an agreement signed with the Iranian Government on Tuesday, Jan. 20. Nearly 80 percent of the city was left in ruins after the Dec. 26 earthquake, killing more than 41,000 people and injuring at least 30,000 others. World Vision responded to the emergency with relief supplies and other forms of help. The ministry will reconstruct two village health posts and three health centers, supplying the clinics with refrigerators for vaccines, medical equipment, latrines, washbasins and furniture. (Mission Network News/Associated Press)

* HCJB World Radio, in cooperation with FEBA Radio, broadcasts weekly Christian programs to Iran via shortwave in the Luri language. There are less than 100 known believers among the 4 million Luri speakers.

JONI AND FRIENDS MINISTRY TO DISABLED NAMES NEW PRESIDENT

Joni Eareckson Tada, founder and chief executive officer of the international disability ministry, Joni and Friends, announced Tuesday, Jan. 20, that Doug Mazza has been named president and chief operating officer by a unanimous action of the board of directors. Mazza has served with the rapidly expanding ministry for five years, including the position of executive vice president. Under Mazza's guidance, ministry programming, practical assistance and education concerning people affected by disabilities have experienced dramatic growth, quadrupling the number of people reached. "What a track record Doug has with this ministry," Tada said. "His experience as a father of a disabled son, including his proven corporate skills, have had a powerful impact on Joni and Friends in the last five years, and I'm confident God will broaden, deepen and widen the ministry's influence for Christ in the next 25 years." Mazza worked as chief operating officer for Hyundai Motor America and vice president and general manager for American Suzuki Motor Corporation. Joni and Friends refurbishes wheelchairs for use by disabled people in developing countries such as China, Romania, Ghana, Peru and Cuba along with giving them a Bible in their indigenous language. The "Joni and Friends" daily radio program is heard by more than 1 million people each week. (Assist News Service)

EVANGELICAL LEADERS URGE PRESIDENT BUSH TO INCREASE AIDS FUNDING

Four evangelical leaders, including best-selling author Bruce Wilkinson, gathered at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C., last week to call on U.S. President George W. Bush to recommit America to the global fight against AIDS. "As we approach the one-year anniversary of President Bush's $15-million AIDS promise (calling for spending $15 billion in five years to combat the disease in Africa and the Caribbean), we must keep in our hearts the 42 million people worldwide who are infected with HIV/AIDS," said Wilkinson in a press release. "We need to do everything possible to help alleviate the suffering of the world's poor." Members of Wilkinson's group, Global Vision Resources, have traveled throughout Sub-Saharan Africa conducting seminars on AIDS and faith. Joining Wilkinson in his plea to the president were Serge Duss, World Vision's public policy and advocacy; David Dahlin, Compassion International's chief operating officer; and Rev. Richard Cizik, the National Evangelical Association's vice president for governmental affairs. (Assist News Service)

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