Pastor Neil Edirisinghe shot dead in Ampara

Pastor Neil Edirisinghe (37 years) of the House Church Foundation was engaged in ministry in Ampara for many years. On the night of 17th February 2008, at approximately 9.30 pm, he was brutally gunned down outside his house by two men who had arrived on a motorcycle. The family had just returned home after visiting friends, where they had enjoyed a meal. The attackers also shot his wife Shiromi (aged 31 years) in the stomach. She is received treatment in hospital and her condition is critical. Their 2 year old baby son is suffering from severe trauma and it is reported that he also suffered a minor injury. Pastor Neil made the supreme sacrifice for the Gospel.  

 The Police have reported that they have arrested 4 persons in connection with the murder. Two of them are Gramarakshaka Niladhari (Home Guards) - an auxiliary force established by the government to assist the Police and military in security and military duties and another is a businessman from the area. According to Police investigations, this was a contract killing.

Some prominent persons in the area accepting the Gospel and began attending Pastor Neil’s Church, which angered certain persons who conspired to have him killed. The pastor had been receiving threatening phone calls for about 6 months.   

The funeral of the martyred pastor will be held on Thursday 21st February in Ampara where he served and died.  

NCEASL condemns this senseless and violent act in the strongest terms and call for justice.