wfn.org | News Conference with Adventist World President

[APD <APD_Info_Schweiz@compuserve.com>]

July 2, 2000
Adventist Press Service (APD)
Christian B. Schäffler, Editor-in-chief
CH-4003 Basel, Switzerland 
Fax +41-61-261 61 18
APD@stanet.ch
www.stanet.ch/APD/2000/GK 

Adventist Pastor Freed from Sri Lankan Prison Speaks 
at World Session

Toronto, Canada, 02.07.2000/ANN/APD        Anthony 
Alexander, recently freed after spending more than 
two years in a Sri Lankan prison, was welcomed onto 
the Adventist World Church Session stage with a 
standing ovation during the afternoon Global Mission 
program on July 1.  His introduction on stage came as 
a surprise to the estimated 30,000 people present for 
the program, who had been told only to expect "a 
special international guest."

"Pray," Alexander told the crowd gathered at the 
SkyDome. "Pray unceasingly. We are almost home."  

Alexander, a former Global Mission pioneer who has 
established a number of Seventh-day Adventist 
churches in the war-torn region of northern Sri Lanka,  
was arrested in March of 1998 on false charges of 
terrorism and storing ammunition for use by the 
"Tamil Tigers," an anti-government militia.  A Sri 
Lankan judge threw out the charges in May this year 
saying that there was "insufficient evidence to convict 
Anthony Alexander of the charges presented before 
me. He has been detained long enough, therefore I 
am ordering that he be released immediately."

During his imprisonment, Alexander was tortured, 
forced to sign a confession in a language he did not 
understand, and deprived of his diabetes medication. 
For twenty-six months Alexander was separated from 
his wife, Saratha, and their five children.  Global 
Mission director, Pastor Michael Ryan, asked Alexander 
in today's meeting how he had been affected by the 
imprisonment ordeal. 

"It affected me mentally, physically and socially," said 
Alexander. "But spiritually, it helped me-drawing me 
even closer to God."

Alexander's wife Saratha, who accompanied her 
husband, told the audience that she has also been 
changed by the experience.  "Where I once relied on 
my husband, I now know I can depend on God for 
everything."

During his 26 months in prison, Alexander conducted 
weekly worship services, gave more than 50 Bible 
studies each week to other inmates, and began 
translating the book The Desire of Ages into the Tamil 
language. 

Soon after his release, Alexander said that he decided 
two things while in prison.  First, he wanted to commit 
himself "more fully-heart, soul and mind-to God, and 
second, to never, ever, go anywhere without Saratha." 
[Editor: Bettina Krause for ANN/APD]