ISLAMABAD - Sri Lankan High Commissioner in Pakistan Vice Admiral Mohan Wijewickrama has said that he was satisfied with Pakistan’s response to the Sialkot killing incident. “The incident won’t affect friendly ties between the two countries,” he said while speaking to media persons here yesterday.
The Sri Lankan envoy condemned the incident pointing out that such incidents won’t be tolerated. “We are very sure that the incident itself was not targeting our country, our religion, or our race. It was an incident in isolation,” he added.
Wijewickrama added that a large number of suspects had already been arrested and legal action against them was imminent.
“Our relations between the two countries will not have an impact because of this incident,” he said.
The high commissioner revealed that both the governments were discussing how Kumara’s family could be compensated. “We are very confident that this incident will be handled by the government of Pakistan in a manner that justice will be given,” he added.
Earlier, the remains of Priyantha Kumara, the Sri Lankan national who was lynched by a mob in Sialkot on Friday last, were repatriated to Sri Lanka.
The body was brought to the Allama Iqbal International Airport in an ambulance. It was dispatched via a Sri Lankan Airlines flight with state honours.
“[The] High Commission appreciates the unstinted assistance by the Govt of Pakistan and Provincial Govt of Panjab in making this transfer possible in such a short time period,” the Sri Lankan High Commission to Pakistan tweeted.
On Friday, a mob of nearly 800 to 900 people tortured, beat up, murdered, and then burnt the body of Priyantha Kumara over blasphemy allegations. A case was registered against the suspects under sections of terrorism, murder, and assault. So far, 131 people have been arrested in the case.