The Past, Present, and Precarious Future of Jews in Sri Lanka

The Star of David in Serendib: The Past, Present, and Precarious Future of Jews in Sri Lanka

While Sri Lanka is globally renowned for its Buddhist heritage and colonial tea estates, it harbors a Jewish history that is as old as the Bible and as modern as today’s geopolitical headlines. 

Today, the Jewish population is a whisper of its former self-estimated at roughly 300 individuals, mostly comprised of expatriates and business owners. 

However, this small number belies a massive cultural footprint and a contemporary presence that has recently become a focal point of national security and diplomatic dialogue.

Modern Presence: The Chabad Network and the "Arugam Bay Alert"

The modern Jewish experience in Sri Lanka is largely defined by the Chabad-Lubavitch movement, which established its first permanent outpost in Colombo in 2005. By 2025, the network had expanded to five locations, primarily serving the thousands of Israeli surfers and backpackers who frequent the island’s southern and eastern coasts.

• The Regulatory Crackdown: In July 2025, the Sri Lankan Parliament’s Sectoral Oversight Committee revealed that of the five Chabad Houses operating in the country (Colombo, Arugam Bay, Weligama, Ella, and Hikkaduwa), only two were officially registered under the Companies Act.
• Security Concerns (2024–2026): The community faced a significant crisis in October 2024, when the U.S. and Israeli governments issued "Level 4" travel warnings regarding a "credible terrorist threat" targeting Israeli tourists in Arugam Bay. This led to a heavy military presence and the temporary closure of several Jewish hubs.
• Current Status: As of early 2026, the Colombo Chabad House on Ananda Coomaraswamy Mawatha has faced intermittent closures. Local authorities have tightened oversight on "unauthorized religious centers," leading to a quieter, more underground atmosphere for the community compared to the vibrant hospitality of previous years.

Historical Roots: From King Solomon to the Spice Trade

The Jewish connection to Sri Lanka (formerly Ceylon) is steeped in legend. Many historians and biblical scholars speculate that the southern port of Galle is the biblical Tarshish, the legendary city from which King Solomon imported "gold, silver, ivory, apes, and peacocks" nearly 3,000 years ago.

• The Medieval Era: Documentation from the 9th-century Persian traveler Abu Zaid al-Hasan and the 12th-century geographer al-Idrisi notes that Jews held high status in the royal courts. Al-Idrisi specifically recorded that the King’s Council of 16 included four Jewish advisors.
• The Spice Route: During the 12th century, David Maimonides (brother of the famed philosopher Moses Maimonides) established a trade route between Aden and Ceylon. At its peak, travelers like Benjamin of Tudela estimated a thriving population of 3,000 Jews.

The Colonial Era: Tea Barons and Chief Justices

Under British rule, Jews found a "safe haven" and flourished as pioneers of industry. The de Worms brothers (Maurice, Gabriel, and Solomon), nephews of the Rothschilds, are credited with revolutionizing the tea industry. Their "Rothschild Estate" in Pussellawa remains a landmark in the history of Ceylon Tea.

The community also contributed significantly to the island’s legal and educational foundations:

• Sir Sidney Abrahams: Served as Chief Justice (1936–1939) and was a champion of the local Olympic movement.
• Sir Alan Rose: Another Jewish Chief Justice who served during the transition to independence (1947–1951).
• Marie Musaeus Higgins: A German-Jewish educator who founded Musaeus College, one of the most prestigious girls' schools in Colombo.
• Venerable Nyanaponika Thera: Born Siegmund Feniger, this German Jew became a world-renowned Buddhist monk and co-founded the Buddhist Publication Society in Kandy.

Cultural Legacy and the "Hidden" Jews

The mass exodus of the Jewish community occurred in two waves: first during the Portuguese Inquisition (where many became "Marranos" or "New Christians") and later following Sri Lanka’s independence in 1948 and the 1956 "Sinhala Only" Act.

Today, Jewish DNA is woven into the island’s fabric. Surnames common among the Burgher and Sinhalese communities, such as de Fonseka, de Alwis, and Alkegama, are often cited by genealogists as indicators of Jewish ancestry. The late Anne Ranasinghe, a Holocaust survivor who married a Sri Lankan professor, became one of the country’s most beloved poets, her work serving as a final bridge between the island’s Buddhist culture and Jewish memory.

Conclusion: A Community at a Crossroads

As of 2026, the Jewish presence in Sri Lanka is navigating a delicate path. While the "native" community is nearly extinct, the influx of Israeli tourism remains a vital economic driver. The challenge for the Sri Lankan government moving forward lies in balancing national security with the religious freedom of a community that has called the island home, in one form or another, for three millennia.