Article 9 of the 1978 Constitution states “the Republic of Sri Lanka shall give to Buddhism the foremost place and accordingly it shall be the duty of the State to protect and foster the Buddha Cessionee, while assuring to all religions the rights granted by articles 10 and 14.”
Article 10 assures every person the right to freedom of thought conscience and religion, including the freedom to have or adopt a religion or belief of one’s choice.
The US State Department Report on Human Rights says that the government respects this right to practice one’s religion freely. foreign clergy are allowed to work in Sri Lanka. The Jesuits however, have been banned from allowing the entry of new clergy for the past 30 years. Those Jesuits who are already in the country are allowed to stay.
According to the report, Evangelical Christians constitute less than one percent of the population. They have complained in pursuing converts they have been met with hostility and harassment by local Buddhist clergy and others, and that the government sometimes condones this harassment. The State Department report concludes however, that there is no evidence to support such a stance on the part of the government.
2003 U.S. State Department International Religious Freedom Report on Sri Lanka
Fears of religious suppression unfounded - Buddhist organisations WorldWide Religious News 8/05/04
Government-Christian Groups Lock Horns over Anti-Conversion Bill WorldWide Religious News, 7/29/04
Freedoms restricted? Sri Lankan cabinet approves law outlawing conversions WorldWide Religious News 6/25/04
Sri Lanka: Demand for Anti-Conversion Law Gains Momentum WorldWide Religious News, 1/28/04