Region · South Asia
Sri Lanka and the Maldives
In Sri Lanka, Christians from Buddhist and Hindu backgrounds face pressure; in the Maldives, there are virtually no local Christians and the faith is forbidden by law.
2 countries
141 peoples
1% evangelicals
The 2 flags of the region. Tap one to open the country.
Gospel reach among the 141 peoples
131Unreached · 92.9% of peoples
10reached peoples
1%evangelicals (weighted average)
- 41.1% Unreached (58)
- 51.8% Minimally reached (73)
- 7.1% Superficially reached (10)
- 0% Partially reached (0)
- 0% Significantly reached (0)
Largest unreached peoples:
Wahumpura 8.9M
Vellalar 1.3M
Navandanna 1.3M
The Bible in the languages of the region
18languages spoken
10With complete Bible
8Without complete Bible
- 55.6% With complete Bible (10)
- 44.4% Only portions of the Bible (8)
Source: Joshua Project and Progress.Bible. Estimates, may vary. Compiled from the data of each country in this region.
What it is
Sri Lanka and the Maldives are two island nations in the Indian Ocean, south of the Indian subcontinent. Sri Lanka is a larger, predominantly Buddhist island, with a Tamil Hindu minority and historic Christian communities dating from the colonial period. The Maldives, a small archipelago known for tourism, is almost entirely Muslim, with some of the world’s most restrictive laws concerning any other faith.
Despite their small size, the two nations face very different spiritual challenges. In Sri Lanka, decades of ethnic conflict between Sinhalese and Tamils have left deep scars, and the church, though present, is still seen by many as foreign. In the Maldives, being Christian is grounds for legal persecution, and faith can only be lived in secret.
There are 141 recorded people groups across the two countries, and 131 of them remain unreached. Evangelicals account for 1.2%, concentrated almost entirely in Sri Lanka. Regarding Bible access, 8 of the 18 mapped people groups still have no Scripture in their language.
They are small nations with real needs: one island where the church needs renewal and reconciliation, and another where it can barely exist openly.
Context and characteristics
Buddhism and Islam side by side
Sri Lanka is predominantly Buddhist, while the Maldives is almost entirely Muslim.
Scars of ethnic conflict
Sri Lanka bears the wounds of decades of conflict between the Sinhalese majority and the Tamil minority.
Legal persecution in the Maldives
Maldivian law recognizes no faith other than Islam, making Christianity virtually underground.
Tourism as a point of contact
The Maldives' large tourist flow is now one of the few possible points of contact between Christian visitors and the local population.
Historic church in Sri Lanka
Christian communities dating from the colonial period still exist in Sri Lanka, but face the challenge of being seen as part of local culture.
Unreached peoples of this region 131 in total
What to pray for
Intercession
For the 131 unreached people groups across Sri Lanka and the Maldives.
For the 8 peoples still without any part of the Bible in their language.
For Christians in the Maldives living their faith in secret, at risk of legal persecution.
For reconciliation between Sinhalese and Tamils in Sri Lanka, including within the church.
For Christian visitors passing through the Maldives who can bring a word of hope.
For the historic church of Sri Lanka to be strengthened in its identity and local witness.
For openness to the gospel in a nation where it cannot currently be proclaimed openly.