LAHORE: The remains of Sri Lankan factory manager Priyantha Kumara, who was beaten to death and set ablaze by a mob in Sialkot over blasphemy, were sent to Sri Lanka with state honours on Monday.
Read more: Wife of Sri Lankan man refutes blasphemy claim, demands justice for husband, kids
Representing Punjab Chief Minister Usman Bazdar, Provincial Minister for Human Rights and Minority Affairs Ejaz Alam Augustine received Kumara’s body at the airport when it reached the premises in an ambulance.
He later sent it to his home country with state honours, said Bol News.
Special Representative to Prime Minister on Religious Harmony Hafiz Mohammad Tahir Ashrafi, officials of the foreign ministry and Foreign Office (FO), and Sri Lanka were also present at the airport.
The incident took place on December 3 in Sialkot when Kumara, 48, a factory manager working in the city, was beaten to death and his body set alight.
سری لنکن شہری پریانتھا کماراکی میت کو سرکاری اعزاز کےساتھ لاہور سے سری لنکا روانہ کیاگیا
وزیراعلی پنجاب کی ہدایت پر صوبائی وزیر انسانی حقوق اعجاز عالم نے میت کو ریسیو کیا- SAPM مولانا طاہر اشرفی، سری لنکا کےاعزازی قونصل جنرل یاسین جوئیہ سمیت اہم عہدیداران بھی اس موقع پرموجود تھے pic.twitter.com/HqIKn0JLUE
— Government of Punjab (@GovtofPunjabPK) December 6, 2021
The vigilante attack caused outrage, with Prime Minister Imran Khan calling it a “day of shame for Pakistan.”
Local police officials told AFP that rumours spread that Diyawadana had “torn down a religious poster and thrown it in the dustbin” and that up to 120 people had been arrested, including one of the main accused. However, his wife, Nilushi, has refuted the blasphemy claim.
In his statement on Monday, Punjab CM Buzdar said that Pakistan was with the Sri Lankan government, its people and the victim’s family over the murder of Kumara.
Expressing heartfelt sympathy and condolences to the bereaved family, Buzdar assured that the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government was fulfilling its responsibilities in the case.
“So far, more than 131 accused have been arrested, and 26 main accused are in police custody,” revealed Buzdar in his statement.
Read more: Sri Lankan man’s remains handed over to country’s ambassador
He said, “The cases against the accused are being heard at the anti-terrorism court. In this case, all requirements of justice will be met.”
“I am personally monitoring the progress made in the investigation of the case,” the provincial CM added.
