Introduction / History
Ilavan people are also known as Izhava or Ezhavas.

What are their lives like?
The Ilavan people work as toddy-tappers. This means they extract sap from palms such as coconut and palmyra to make an alcoholic beverage. They grow coconut, palm and sugar. Most Ilavan people in Sri Lanka are now farmers, others are builders, chauffeurs, handymen, lorry drivers, and taxi drivers.

What are their beliefs?
Ilavan people in Sri Lanka practice Hinduism, the ancient religion of India. Hinduism is a catch-all phrase for the local religions of South Asia, so it is very diverse. Hindus worship and serve the gods of the Hindu pantheon. They visit Hindu temples and offer prayers, food, flowers, and incense to their gods hoping to gain protection and benefits. They do not have a personal or familial relationship with their gods like Christians or Jews.

What are their needs?
Bharatha people in Sri Lanka have practical and educational needs. Bible written, audio, visual resources exist in their Tamil language, yet they remain unreached. Who will tell them?

Prayer Points
Pray that the Holy Spirit will prepare Bharatha people in Sri Lanka for the time when He will be fully revealed to them. Pray that existing Tamil Bible resources will soon be available to them. Pray that they will be spiritually open.