Did you know that three hundred years ago in 1715 the Dutch government banned Roman Catholic priests from giving Baptism. Public assemblies or private meetings of Catholics were also forbidden. Despite the persecution and heavy fines the religion retained its influence as most of the Sinhalese and Tamil Christians refused to give up their religion. No local inhabitant could hold the position of Modaliyar or be permitted to farm land or hold office under government unless he was a Protestant. Marriages were heavily taxed and declared void. The mass was banned and burials prohibited in cemeteries of their own and large fees were charged on their internment in those attached to the Protestant Churches. Roman Catholics were declared equally with heathens to be ineligible to office. Freedom was given to children born as slaves if they were Protestants while those born as Roman Catholics remained forever as slaves. In the Jaffna district the Dutch government took possession of the RC churches.
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