Islamabad/Colombo, 6 December 2021 (GNP/ TDI): On the request of the High Commission of Sri Lanka, the Sri Lankan Foreign Ministry has received reports of the Sialkot incident from the Pakistani Government.
The High Commission of Sri Lanka in Islamabad is dealing with the process of further verification of the incident from the authorities in Pakistan. The investigation report was provided to the Sri Lankan Government by Pakistan on 4th December.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Sri Lanka announced in a press release on 5th December, that from the Sialkot incident the human remains of the General Manager Operation at Rajco Industries in Sialkot, Diyawadanage Don Nandasiri Priyantha Kumara, will be taken to Sri Lanka through Airlines.
The human remains has been sent today through Lahore to Colombo, which will be received by the blood relations of the deceased at Bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA).
On the allegations of blasphemy, the deceased Sri Lankan national General Manager was lynched by an informal group on Wazirabad Road in Sialkot, the city of Pakistan. This brought an outrage within and outside the country against the brutal mob.
Steps by the Pakistani Government on the incident
After the tragic incident in Sialkot, the Pakistani Government not only condemned the brutal killing of the Sri Lankan General Manager but also took further steps, such as investigation of the incident, arrest of the culprits, and bilateral talks with the Sri Lankan government.
Stance of Prime Minister of Pakistan
The day when the Sialkot incident happened, the Prime Minister of Pakistan condemned the attack on the Sri Lankan Manager and announced that he is monitoring the case himself. He also assured prosecution of the criminals under the law.
At the brutal killing of Priyantha Diyawadana in Sialkot, the Prime Minister of Pakistan, Imran Khan, on 4th December told that he communicated to Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa in UAE.
In the talk, he conveyed the anger and shame of the Pakistani nation to the Sri Lankan nation. He also mentioned that he informed the President of Sri Lanka that more than 100 people have been arrested, who were involved in the lynching. Imran Khan also assured Gotabaya Rajapaksa that the culprits would be punished with the full severity of the law.
Comments of President of Pakistan
The Pakistani President Arif Alvi on 4th December supported the statement of Prime Minister Imran Khan on the incident and said, “I appreciate the prompt action taken by the Prime Minister and the Government of Pakistan. The Sialkot incident is certainly tragic and shameful and not religious in any way because Islam is a religion that has established a system of decision-making with justice instead of mob lynching.”
Statement of Foreign Minister of Pakistan
Foreign Minister of Pakistan, Shah Mahmood Qureishi, is also playing an active role in the matter and he spoke to his Sri Lankan counterpart and offered his condolences. He also said, “The Pakistan leadership will ensure all perpetrators will be brought to justice swiftly.”
Before talking to Foreign Minister Gamini Lakshman Peiris of Sri Lanka, he condemned the killing of the Sri Lankan national on behalf of the Pakistani leadership and nation. Commenting on the incident Shah Mahmood said, “We offer our sincere condolences to the bereaved family, Government, and people of Sri Lanka & will ensure perpetrators are brought to justice. Such acts have no place in our faith & country.”
Sri Lankan Government on the Sialkot incident
The matter is being monitored by the Sri Lankan Foreign Ministry. On the other side, In accordance with the Foreign Ministry of Sri Lanka, the High Commission in Islamabad is also dealing with the Pakistani government.
The Pakistani Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Pakistan received a request by the High Commission of Sri Lanka in the capital of Pakistan to share the investigation report of the Sialkot event with Sri Lanka. The investigation report was provided to the Sri Lankan Government by Pakistan on 4th December.
Sri Lankan High Commission is also looking after the matter of payment of compensation to the employer of the late Sri Lankan manager.
Trust of Sri Lankan leadership in Pakistan
Mahinda Rajapaksa, the Prime Minister of Sri Lanka said showed confidence in the leadership and government of Pakistan. While expressing his grief for the fatal attack, he said, “Sri Lanka and her people are confident that Prime Minister Imran Khan will keep to his commitment to bring all those involved to justice.”
The President of Sri Lanka Gotabaya Rajapaksa showed his concerns regarding the incident in Sialkot. He also expressed his trust in the Government of Pakistan, saying, “Sri Lanka trusts that Prime Minister Imran Khan and the Government of Pakistan will ensure justice is served and ensure the safety of the remaining Sri Lankan workers in Pakistan.”