Sinhalese in India

People Name:	Sinhalese
Country:	India
10/40 Window:	Yes
Population:	5,300
World Population:	399,800
Primary Language:	Sinhala
Primary Religion:	Buddhism
Christian Adherents:	0.00 %
Evangelicals:	0.00 %
Scripture:	Complete Bible
Online Audio NT:	Yes
Jesus Film:	Yes
Audio Recordings:	Yes
People Cluster:	South Asia Buddhist
Affinity Bloc:	South Asian Peoples
Progress Level:

Introduction / History

Not all Sri Lankans are Sinhalese but about three-quarters are. In 1975, 432 Sri Lankans came to America to live. Many Sri Lankans came to America during the Sri Lankan civil war in the 1990s. They live in New York City which has the largest number of them, then central New Jersey, Los Angeles, Chicago, and Miami. Sri Lankan Buddhists tend to live near others of them who are Buddhists.

What Are Their Lives Like?

The second generation of Sri Lankans are used to the American culture. Parents often send their children to religious courses in the U.S.
The Sri Lankans eat curries, fish, rice, soup and vegetables for example. Coconut milk is a very important ingredient for their meals. They have holidays each month when there is a full moon. With Buddhists, May is the most important full moon holy day as Gautama Buddha was born and passed away then. Sinhala is the main language spoken amongst the Sinhalese.
The main Sinhalese caste is goyigama. Sri Lankan Americans do not use caste limitations when mixing with Americans. They live in single units but not with relatives. Relatives may come to live in the same community though.
Sri Lankan Americans are well-educated and most have been to colleges. A lot of Sri Lankans who come to live in America do so because of better job opportunities. Many of them have their own businesses.
Children can refuse the marriage partner chosen by their parents even though marriages are arranged. The Sri Lankans have nuclear families of husbands, wives and their children who are not married.

What Are Their Beliefs?

Buddhists and Hindus as well as Muslims and Christians are found amongst the Sri Lankans. The Sinhalese, however, are Buddhist. Buddhism is mainly the cultural glue for them in a culture saturated by commercialism.

What Are Their Needs?

Pray for the Holy Spirit to work mightily in Sinhalese communities in the United States, blessing them in every way.
Pray for the Holy Spirit to give the Sinhalese people a love for God's word and a desire to spread its influence.
Pray for signs and wonders among them and for great breakthroughs with a rapid multiplication of disciples and house churches.
Pray for bold workers who are driven by the love of the Holy Spirit to go to them.
Pray for an unstoppable movement to Christ among the Sinhalese in the United States.

Prayer Points

www.everyculture.com/multi/Sr-Z/sri-lankan-americans.html