Sinhalese in United States


Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge
More extensive map at peoplegroups.info

Introduction / History

Not all Sri Lankans are Sinhalese but about three-quarters are. Many Sri Lankans came to America during the Sri Lankan civil war in the 1990s. Sinhala is the main language spoken amongst the Sinhalese. They live in New York City which has the largest number of them, then central New Jersey, Los Angeles, Chicago and Miami.


What Are Their Lives Like?

The Sri Lankans eat curries, fish, rice, soup and vegetables. Coconut milk is a very important ingredient for their meals. They have holidays based on the full moon. With Buddhists, May is the most important full moon holy day as Gautama Buddha was born and passed away then.

Sri Lankan Americans are well educated and most have been to college. 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.

The second generation of Sri Lankans are used to the American culture. Sinhalese elders are trying to make sure the next generation is familiar with their culture through a number of Sinhala-based cultural organizations. Parents often send their children to religious courses in the U.S.A. They still favor cross cousin marriages. Children can refuse the marriage partner chosen by their parents even though marriages are arranged. There is a good chance these practices will change in the next generation. The Sri Lankans have nuclear families of husbands, wives and their children who are not married. Relatives often live nearby.

The Goyigama caste is prominent among the Sinhalese. They do not use caste limitations when mixing with Americans.


What Are Their Beliefs?

Most Sinhalese are Buddhists. Sri Lankan Buddhists tend to live near others of them who are Buddhists. There are some Christians among the Sinhalese in the United States.


What Are Their Needs?

The Buddhist Sinhalese need Christ lovers to take the gospel of grace to them. As it stands, few are willing to do this.


Prayer Points

Pray for God to thrust out workers to the Sinhalese in America.
Pray for a revival among Sinhalese Christians in the U.S. that will make them shine their lights drawing others out of darkness.
Pray for Sinhalese disciples to make more disciples.
Pray for entire Sinhalese families to be blessed through home Bible studies. Pray these will lead to good fruit.


Scripture Prayers for the Sinhalese in United States.


References

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sri_Lankan_Americans
https://zipatlas.com/us/city-comparison/largest-sri-lankan-community.htm


Profile Source:   Joshua Project  

People Name General Sinhalese
People Name in Country Sinhalese
Pronunciation sin-uh-LEEZE
Alternate Names Cingalese; Singalese; Singhalese; Sinhala; सिनलीज़
Population this Country 11,000
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 United States
Region America, North and Caribbean
Continent North America
10/40 Window No
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank Not ranked
Location in Country New York (Tompkinsville)   Source:  Global Gates 2021
Country United States
Region America, North and Caribbean
Continent North America
10/40 Window No
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank Not ranked
Location in Country New York (Tompkinsville).   Source:  Global Gates 2021

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Primary Religion: Buddhism
Major Religion Percent
Buddhism
78.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 1.20 %)
4.00 %
Ethnic Religions
0.00 %
Hinduism
13.00 %
Islam
5.00 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
0.00 %
Unknown
0.00 %
Primary Language Sinhala (11,000 speakers)
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 (11,000 speakers)
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
Profile Source Joshua Project 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.


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