Sri Lankan High Commissioner Says Relations Between Two Countries Won't Be Affected By Sialkot Lynching

Sri Lankan High Commissioner Mohan Vijay Vikrama has said that the tragic incident in which a Sri Lankan national was killed by a mob over blasphemy allegations, which took place in Sialkot last Friday, will not impact the friendly relations between Pakistan and Sri Lanka.

While addressing a press conference, the high commissioner said that the tragic episode was unfortunate and highly condemnable. He added that he was certain that the killing of Priyantha Kumara was an isolated incident that was in no way an attack on the country, race, or religion of Sri Lanka.

The high commissioner expressed his satisfaction at the way the investigation was being conducted. He said that he was happy that the government of Pakistan was punishing the culprits, adding that a large number of suspects had been rounded up and remanded already.

He assured that relations between Pakistan and Sri Lanka would not be damaged by this ‘isolated incident’. He said that Pakistan has been Sri Lanka’s all-weather friend, regardless of who was in power. He reminded that good relations between Pakistan and Sri Lanka go back to the time of independence.

Vikrama said that discussions were also underway regarding how to compensate the family of Priyantha Kumara.