page_title: Religion in Sri Lanka
section_title: Baha'i
hierarchical_section_title: Religion in Sri Lanka / Baha'i
caption_attribution_description: English: Distribution of Languages and Religious groups of Sri Lanka on D.S. Division and Sector level according to 1981 Census of Population and Housing
context_page_description: Sri Lanka's population practices a variety of religions. As of the 2012 census 70.2% of Sri Lankans were Theravada Buddhists, 12.6% were Hindus, 9.7% were Muslims, 6.1% Roman Catholic, 1.3 other Christians and 0.05% others. Buddhism is considered the state religion of Sri Lanka and has been given special privileges in the Sri Lankan constitution such as government protection and fostering of Buddhist Dharma. However, the constitution also provides for freedom of religion and right to equality among all its citizens. In 2008 Sri Lanka was the third most religious country in the world according to a Gallup poll, with 99% of Sri Lankans saying religion is an important part of their daily life.
context_section_description: Adherents of the Baha'i Faith have been present in Sri Lanka since 1949.  The first Baha'i resident in Colombo was a physician from India, Dr. M.E. Lukmani.  Its population grew in the 1950s and by 1962, its first administrative body for the national level (the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Sri Lanka) was elected.
caption: Distribution of Languages and Religious groups of Sri Lanka by D.S. Divisions and Sector level, according to 1981 Census of Population and Housing.
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