People group profile · PG006165
The Sinhalese of the Maldives
The Sinhalese of the Maldives, numbering about 4,000 people, are No Longer Unreached. They are a culturally rich and historically significant ethnic group in Sri Lanka, known for their Sinhala language, Theravada Buddhist traditions, and influential role in shaping the island's cultural and political landscape.
They are a diaspora people in the Sinhala people cluster of the South Asian Peoples. Their primary religion is Theravada Buddhism, and they primarily speak Sinhala.
Fast facts
- Country
- Maldives
- Population
- 4,000
- Affinity group
- South Asian Peoples
- People cluster
- Sinhala
- Primary language
- Sinhala (sin)
- Primary religion
- Theravada Buddhism
- Strategic Progress Index
- No Longer Unreached
- Evangelical
- 2% or Greater but Less than 5%
- GSEC
- 2% or Greater but Less than 5% Evangelical
- Lostness priority
- Minimally Reached People Group
- Region
- Southern Asia, Asia
Where they live
Gospel status
The Sinhalese are No Longer Unreached, which means 2% or more are evangelical Christians. In GSEC terms, this people group is greater than or equal to 2% evangelical.
- Congregations exist No
- Church planting in the last two years No Churches Planted
Next steps for the Sinhalese
- Pray for the churches among this group to grow in faithfulness and maturity
- Equip believers to reach the unreached peoples around them
- Send out laborers from this people to the nations
Primary religion
Theravada Buddhism · Buddhism
95% adherents
Primary language
Sinhala · Indo-European family
100% speak Sinhala
Gospel resources in Sinhala
- Bible available
- JESUS Film available
- Radio programs not available
- Gospel recordings available
- Audio resources available
- Bible stories not available
Films
- Magdalena (Sinhala)
Find more at the JESUS Film Project, Bible.com and Faith Comes by Hearing.
Pray for the Sinhalese
- Romans 12:4–5. Pray that believers from many cultures will work together as one body so that the church is built up.
- Revelation 7:9. Pray for the day when people from this group stand before the throne with every nation, tribe, people and language.
- John 17:3. Pray that many will come to know the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom he has sent.
- Psalm 27:1. Pray that new believers will be strengthened in the face of persecution, with the Lord as their stronghold.
Sinhalese in other countries
The same people (ROP3 109305) is reported in 10 other countries.
| People group | Country | Population | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sinhalese | Sri Lanka | 17,680,000 | Engaged yet Unreached |
| Sinhalese | United Arab Emirates | 179,000 | Engaged yet Unreached |
| Sri Lanken | Italy | 115,000 | Unengaged and Unreached |
| Sinhalese | Qatar | 56,500 | Engaged yet Unreached |
| Sinhalese | Oman | 53,000 | Engaged yet Unreached |
| Sinhalese | Malaysia | 36,500 | No Longer Unreached |
| Sinhalese | United States | 30,500 | Engaged yet Unreached |
| Sinhalese | Singapore | 23,500 | Unengaged and Unreached |
| Sinhalese | Canada | 18,000 | Engaged yet Unreached |
| Sinhalese | Thailand | 8,200 | Unengaged and Unreached |
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