ISLAMABAD: High Commissioner Mohan Wijewickrama on Monday said the grisly murder of a Sri Lanka national in Sialkot won’t damage the historic ties between Islamabad and Colombo.
“Pakistan and Sri Lanka are friends and will remain friends. I assure you that this incident will not affect our relations,” said Wijewickrama while addressing a press conference.
Last Friday, a mob of hundreds of enraged workers descended on a sports equipment factory in the district of Sialkot after its Sri Lankan manager of the factory was accused of blasphemy. They grabbed Priyantha Kumara, lynched him and publicly burned the body.
Police have so far arrested more than 130 people, including the prime suspects. Over the weekend, the prime minister told the Sri Lanka president the suspects will be “prosecuted with the full severity of the law”.
Imran Khan said in an overnight tweet that he spoke to Gotabaya Rajapaksa by phone to convey the nation’s anger and shame and assure him that justice would be done.
Wijewickrama praised Islamabad’s support and thanked the people for their overwhelming support and condolences, observing the incident was unfortunate.
Lauding the steps taken by the government, Wijewickrama recalled a large number of people have been arrested since the killing.
“I am sure that the government of Pakistan will take steps to ensure the family of Priyanka Deyawanda Kumar gets justice. This is a murder,” he said.
“The Sri Lankan government is sure that it [the incident] has nothing to do with Pakistan and Sri Lanka. We have seen that Pakistan has taken immediate action.”
“We don’t need to claim we’re [still] friends; Pakistan and Sri Lanka have social, defence, and commerce ties, and this incident will not impact the existing relationship,” he said.
He said the remains of Kumara had been sent to his home country.
Meanwhile, a leader of Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) Arshad Dad apologised to Wijewickrama on behalf of the ruling party, saying the killing was unfortunate.
