COLOMBO (TSAT) - The Pakistani High Commission in Colombo on Thursday has organized a condolence reference in memory of Late Diyawadanage Don Nandasiri Priyantha Kumara.

The event was attended by the family of Kumara, senior Sri Lankan government officials.

Apart from Ms. Nilushi Dissanayaka widow of Mr. Priyantha Kumara and his children, Muruttetuwe Ananda Thero Chief Custodian of Abayeramaya Temple, Most Ven. Aggrahera Kasappa Thero, Maha Sangha, Father Sixton Kurukulasuriya, Swami Kurkul Babu Sharma, Molana Hassan Syed, Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena, Speaker of Sri Lankan Parliament, Namal Rajapaksa, Minister of Youth & Sports, Minister of Development Co-ordination and Monitoring and State Minister of Digital Technology and Enterprise Development, Tharaka Balasuriya, State Minister of Regional Co-operation, Lohan Ratwatte, State Minister of Gem & Jewelry related Industries, Members of Sri Lankan Parliament, Representative from the Foreign Ministry of Sri Lanka and members of media fraternity also participated in the condolences reference.

Kumara, the Sri Lankan manager who was lynched by some extremist mob in Sialkot city of Pakistan last month after being accused of blasphemy.

Pakistani nation strongly reacted over the brutal killing of a foreigner in their country and government arrested the main culprits who are now under trial in court.

“Each and every person in Pakistan from the Prime Minister Imran Khan to a common man on the street was aggrieved and strongly condemned this inhumane act,” said Pakistani High Commissioner-designate Major General (R) Umar Farooq Burki, while addressing the event, according a statement issued from the embassy.

He offered prayers for the departed soul and paid condolence to the widow and family of Late Mr. Priyantha Kumara.

“Our Holy Prophet Muhammad PBUH brought an ideological revolution through Islam and united humanity through the message of peace, justice, tolerance and brotherhood,” he said and adding that all Pakistanis living in Pakistan or abroad have always strongly condemned such happenings anywhere in the world.

He reiterated that we, as human beings, believe in peaceful coexistence of people regardless of their religious belief.

He assured that Pakistani government strictly deal with anyone found involved in cruelty by using religion, especially in the name of the Prophet of Islam PBUH stands firm from day one.

“On strict directions of the Prime Minister of Pakistan, the trial of the murderers and abettors is going on a daily basis and Prime Minister is directly supervising the proceedings of this trial,” Gen. Burki said.

Speaking on the occasion, the Ms Nilushi Dissanayake thanked to the Prime Minister of Pakistan Imran Khan and Sialkot Chamber of Commerce  for their support.

"I request Imran Khan to bring the justice to my husband and punish the culprits as soon as possible. This is not to take revenge. But this should not happen to anyone in future," she said. 

She also thanked to all Pakistani people who stood with her and her family and said she raise her childern not to hate people who killed their father but to be kind them according to the teaching of their religion. 

"I thank all the Pakistanis who supported me in this difficult situation and all staff of the high commission for arranging this event. Also, I would like to thank Sri Lankan President, PM, other ministers and Media institutes for supporting me."

Last week, Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan had announced that the business community of Sialkot promised to collect $100,000 for the family of the deceased.

The assistance from Sialkot business and trade community has already been delivered to the account of Ms. Nilushi Dissanayaka, widow of Mr. Priyantha Kumara, according to embassy. While she also has received the first salary cheque in her bank account which has been promised for 10 years by Rajco Industries where late Mr. Priyantha was employed.

Moreover, expatriate Pakistanis living in Canada have already sent LKR 2.8 million to the family. Apart from that Pakistanis living in the USA have also collected around $40,000 which will be soon transferred to Mr. Priyantha’s family.

Widow of Mr. Priyantha Kumara thanked the Government of Pakistan for delivering on the promise and ensuring fair and speedy trial. Prayers for the departed soul were offered both in Buddhist and Islamic traditions.