Freedom of religion in Sri Lanka

Freedom of religion in Sri Lanka has been historically upheld through religious tolerance and multiculturalism . The practice of Hinduism was allowed under Sinhala kings since the Anuradhapura era. Buddhist Sinhala kings gave protection to Muslims fleeing from Portuguese persecution and to Catholics fleeing from persecution by the Dutch after having defeated by the Portuguese.

Sri Lankan constitution provides special status to Buddhism while allowing other religions to co-exists. As per the constitution, government should look after the welfare of the Buddhism.

This coexistence has been recently marred by isolated incidents and attacks on religious places by Buddhist mobs and by LTTE. Similarly Sri Lankan air force particularly has air raided Hindu, Christian shrines during the peak of war thinking that LTTE is taking shelter in there. Navaly church bombing is one notable example of air raid by Sri Lankan air force.

Several Hindu temples were attacked in the riots of 1983 in Colombo and South of Sri Lanka.

Two of the holiest sites for Buddhists in Sri Lanka, the Sri Maha Bodhi Tree and the Temple of the Tooth, have been attacked and bombed by the LTTE. In recent times, the LTTE have also attacked several Muslim mosques in the North-Eastern parts of the country. Navaly church bombing is one notable such air raid by Sri Lankan air force.