Sinhalese in Thailand


Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge

Introduction / History

Ancestors of the Sinhalese people migrated from India (Bengal, Orissa, and Gujarat) to the island of Sri Lanka as early as the 6th century B.C. where they were known as Singhalese. The Singhalese King, court, and people converted to Indian Buddhism in the 2nd century B.C. The Sinhalese are now the dominant ethnic group in Sri Lanka.


Where Are they Located?

The majority of Sinhalese people live in Sri Lanka, but others have moved to other countries to earn a living. Among the Sinhalese diaspora are those who live in Thailand, though most go to other countries. Few return to Sri Lanka.


What Are Their Lives Like?

The Sinhalese people fit in well with the Buddhist culture of Thailand, but they must learn a language that has very little in common with their own.


What Are Their Beliefs?

Most of the Sinhalese belong to the Theravada branch of the Buddhist religion. Although the Sinhalese adhere to basic Buddhist teachings, they follow many Hindu beliefs as well. For example, Buddhism is unconcerned with the Hindu pantheon of millions of gods, but the Sinhalese worship Hindu deities whom they believe control daily life. Over time, the people may come to see a formerly popular god as inadequate, and they may change their allegiance to another god. In addition to gods, the Sinhalese believe in demons, whom they must appease through rituals conducted by exorcists.


What Are Their Needs?

The Buddhist Sinhalese have great spiritual needs. Although a few converted to Christianity during the colonial period, most of them still have no real understanding of the gospel message. Fervent intercession, evangelistic materials, and increased missionary efforts are all greatly needed if the Sinhalese are to come to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.


Prayer Points

Ask the Lord of the harvest to send missionaries who can witness to the Sinhalese people in Thailand in culturally relevant ways.
Ask the Lord to soften the hearts of the Sinhalese so they will be receptive to the gospel.
Pray that God will use the few Sinhalese believers to share the love of Christ with their own people in Sri Lanka and in Thailand.
Pray for a strong church to emerge among the Sinhalese that will be defined by discipleship and obedience to the ways of Jesus.


Scripture Prayers for the Sinhalese in Thailand.


References

http://www.sundaytimes.lk/091025/News/nws_12.html
http://www.expat.com/en/nationalities/sri-lankan/in/asia/thailand/
http://www.ft.lk/article/54065/Sri-Lankans-in--Thailand-safe
http://www.sundaytimes.lk/081130/News/sundaytimesnews_16.html
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sri_Lankan_diaspora


Profile Source:   Keith Carey  

People Name General Sinhalese
People Name in Country Sinhalese
Pronunciation sin-uh-LEEZE
Alternate Names Cingalese; Singalese; Singhalese; Sinhala; सिनलीज़
Population this Country 74,000
Population all Countries 402,000
Total Countries 17
Indigenous No
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group No
GSEC 1  (per PeopleGroups.org)
Pioneer Workers Needed 1
PeopleID3 14196
ROP3 Code 109305
Country Thailand
Region Asia, Southeast
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank Not ranked
Country Thailand
Region Asia, Southeast
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank Not ranked
Map of Sinhalese in Thailand Ethnolinguistic map or other map

Primary Religion: Buddhism
Major Religion Percent
Buddhism
90.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 1.00 %)
2.00 %
Ethnic Religions
0.00 %
Hinduism
4.00 %
Islam
3.00 %
Non-Religious
1.00 %
Other / Small
0.00 %
Unknown
0.00 %
Primary Language Sinhala
Language Code sin   Ethnologue Listing
Primary Dialect Sinhalese
Dialect Code 345   Global Recordings Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 1
Primary Language Sinhala
Language Code sin   Ethnologue Listing
Primary Dialect Sinhalese
Dialect Code 345   Global Recordings Listing
Total Languages 1
People Groups Speaking Sinhala

Primary Language:  Sinhala

Bible Translation Status  (Years)
Bible-Portions Yes  (1739-1966)
Bible-New Testament Yes  (1776-1991)
Bible-Complete Yes  (1823-2009)
FCBH NT (www.bible.is) Online
YouVersion NT (www.bible.com) Online
Possible Print Bibles
Amazon
World Bibles
Forum Bible Agencies
National Bible Societies
World Bible Finder
Virtual Storehouse
Resource Type Resource Name Source
Audio Recordings Audio Bible teaching Global Recordings Network
Film / Video God's Story video God's Story
Film / Video Jesus Film: view in Sinhala Jesus Film Project
Film / Video Magdalena video Jesus Film Project
Film / Video My Last Day video, anime Jesus Film Project
Film / Video Story of Jesus for Children Jesus Film Project
Film / Video World Christian Videos World Christian Videos
General Bible for Children Bible for Children
General Bible in text or audio or video South Asia Bibles
General Biblical answers to your questions Got Questions Ministry
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Four Spiritual Laws Cru
General Scripture Earth Gospel resources links Scripture Earth
General YouVersion Bible versions in text and/or audio YouVersion Bibles
Mobile App Android Bible app: Sinhala YouVersion Bibles
Mobile App Android Bible app: Sinhala Contemporary Version (with NIV) Biblica
Mobile App Download audio Bible app as APK file Faith Comes by Hearing
Mobile App iOS Bible app: Sinhala YouVersion Bibles
Text / Printed Matter Literacy primer for Sinhala Literacy & Evangelism International
Text / Printed Matter Tools for faith conversations Cru
Text / Printed Matter Topical Scripture booklets and Bible studies World Missionary Press
Photo Source Copyrighted © 2024  The Road Provides - Shutterstock  All rights reserved.  Used with permission
Map Source People Group location: IMB. Map geography: ESRI / GMI. Map design: Joshua Project.  
Profile Source Keith Carey 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.


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