Gospel for Asia Reports on the Coronavirus in Sri Lanka
COLOMBO, SRI LANKA — Sri Lanka, formerly known as Ceylon, joined the ranks of the many nations battling the deadly coronavirus on January 26th, when the first COVID-19 case was officially reported.
The 25,000 square mile island in the Indian Ocean, just off the southern tip of India, is home to approximately 21.6 million people — whom their government is urgently attempting to protect.
Long-renowned for its production of tea, cinnamon, and rubber, globalization has transformed much of Sri Lanka by introducing textile manufacturing, telecommunications, and tourism.
The majority of residents (70%) practice Buddhism. Another 12.6% follow the traditions of Hinduism. Approximately 7.4% of the population is self-identified as Christian. Gospel for Asia (GFA World) supports indigenous Sri Lankans who are devoted to sharing the love of Jesus by serving as loving examples among their people.
Several churches on the island are pastored by Gospel for Asia (GFA)-supported workers. Those churches are asking for prayer as they and the nation of Sri Lanka have come face-to-face with the Coronavirus.
The people of Sri Lanka were “immune” to the pandemic until January 26th, when the first case of the virus on the island was officially reported.
Communiques from Gospel for Asia (GFA)-supported workers in Sri Lanka have reported that, as of March 28th, there were 109 cases of COVID-19 in the country. Approximately 240 patients were under “strict medical care” in 21 hospitals, and another 1,536 people were being monitored in quarantine centers throughout the country.
Except for a brief six-hour suspension, the entire country has been under a curfew administered by the Sri Lankan military.
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