Priyantha Kumara’s killing : Pakistan tries hard to ensure bilateral ties not affected  

The killing of a Sri Lankan manager in a mob attack in Sialkot, Pakistan is making headlines in the mainstream media of both Sri Lanka and Pakistan these days.
Sri Lankan Priyantha Kumara Diyawadana who was working as a manager at a garment factory in Sialkot was tortured to death by a mob of extremists over allegation of blasphemy. His lynching sent shock waves across the world, drawing attention from all concerned towards Pakistan. 

 
Of course, the incident triggers concerns about safety. Pakistan appears to have taken note of it with due seriousness. It happened at a time when Pakistan was employing its diplomatic tools to foster further ties with Sri Lanka encompassing all aspects. The two countries have had excellent defence cooperation.  Pakistan was a key international supporter in the fight against the LTTE during the war. After the end of the war, Pakistan played a key role at the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) in countering resolutions moved on Sri Lanka. 
Pakistan has been making fresh initiatives since recent times to elevate bilateral relations with more focus on economic and cultural ties.  Revision of the Free Trade Agreement has also been proposed for discussion by Trade Minister Bandula Gunawardane.

"Of course, the incident triggers concerns about safety. Pakistan appears to have taken note of it with due seriousness. It happened at a time when Pakistan was employing its diplomatic tools to foster further ties with Sri Lanka encompassing all aspects"

Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan visited Sri Lanka on February 23-24, this year.  According to the joint communique, he was accompanied by a high-level delegation, comprising Federal Ministers and senior Government officials. During the visit, Prime Minister Imran Khan held delegation-level meetings with President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa. 

 “Both sides comprehensively reviewed the multifaceted bilateral relationship in diverse fields of cooperation. The talks were held in a warm and cordial atmosphere, marked by mutual trust and respect. The visit afforded a timely opportunity to both sides to further build upon their close and regular consultations, particularly in the areas identified during the recently held Foreign Secretary-level Bilateral Political Consultations, Joint Economic Commission session, and the Commerce Secretaries-level Talks. 

Both sides reached broad consensus on ways and means to further strengthen cooperation in a comprehensive manner and agreed to hold frequent meetings; promote high-level and delegation-level exchanges; and enhance the process of consultations, cooperation and coordination between their respective institutions. Prime Minister Imran Khan reiterated Pakistan’s support for the socio-economic development of Sri Lanka in line with the vision of a “peaceful neighbourhood”.

The two sides reviewed the extensive engagement that exists between the two countries in promoting cultural linkages, human resource development, and capacity building in diverse areas as well as educational and technical cooperation. The Pakistan side announced 100 scholarships in the field of medicines (MBBS and BDS) as part of the Pakistan-Sri Lanka Higher Education Cooperation Programme (PSLHECP). The Sri Lankan side appreciated the cooperation being extended by Pakistan in human resource development and capacity building.
 While realizing the existence of great potential of religious tourism to Buddhist archeological sites and noting the close ancient and cultural ties dating back to Gandhara civilization, the two sides underscored the importance of enhancing cooperation in the field of tourism and highlighted the benefits of sharing expertise in the hospitality industry, including training and capacity building. The Pakistan side announced its initiative of establishing Asian Civilization and Culture Centre at University of Peradeniya, Kandy. Both sides recognized the importance of enhancing air connectivity to promote people-to-people contact, tourism, trade and culture.

 In order to explore new avenues for enhancing bilateral trade and investment between the two countries, a high-level Pakistan-Sri Lanka Trade and Investment Conference was held on February 24, 2021. The Conference provided an opportunity for effective and meaningful engagement between the business communities of the two countries. At the conference, both Pakistan and Sri Lanka sides reiterated the importance of strengthening economic relations in key areas of mutual interest and diversifying trade and investment between the two countries. The two sides stressed the importance of realizing the goal of achieving US$ 1 billion bilateral trade target and also agreed to work towards broadening and deepening the Pakistan- Sri Lanka Free Trade Agreement,” the joint statement said. 

"An extremist group lynched the Sri Lankan factory manager at such a time making a blow to these initiatives by the government of Pakistan. No sooner had this incident taken place than Premier Khan started taking steps to ensure that bilateral relations were not soured over it"

Subsequent to the visit, Pakistan arranged a visit for a delegation of eminent Buddhist monks to see the Gandhara Buddhist heritage. That was done in an effort to develop Buddhist tourism in Pakistan as part of cultural ties with Sri Lanka.  Also, Pakistan has offered 1000 scholarships for Sri Lankan students to study at leading Pakistani universities.   Pakistan is encouraging more and more Sri Lankans to make use of these study opportunities.  
 An extremist group lynched the Sri Lankan factory manager at such a time making a blow to these initiatives by the government of Pakistan. No sooner had this incident taken place than Premier Khan started taking steps to ensure that bilateral relations were not soured over it. In the immediate aftermath of the incident, Imran Khan said that the “horrific, vigilante attack” on the factory and the burning alive of the Sri Lankan man “was a day of shame for Pakistan. I am overseeing the investigations and, let there be no mistake, all those responsible will be punished with the full severity of the law. Arrests are in progress,” he said.

 Besides, in a statement, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said that the “cold-blooded murder” by the mob in Sialkot was “condemnable and shameful”. “Such extra-judicial vigilantism cannot be condoned at any cost,” the ISPR said.

Politicians, citizens condemn ‘horrific’ lynching
Punjab Chief Minister Usman Buzdar in a tweet said he was “extremely shocked” at the “horrific Sialkot incident. I have instructed IG Police to thoroughly investigate it. No one is allowed to take the law in their hands. Rest assured; individuals involved in this inhumane act will not be spared!!” he wrote.

Besides, according to the Pakistani media, the business community of Pakistan is making arrangements to donate US$ 100,000 to the family of Priyantha Kumara.  The office of the Pakistani Prime Minister hosted a condolence reference for the slain Sri Lankan national. All the key suspects have already been arrested. 
 In the meantime, Minister for Information and Broadcasting Chaudhry Fawad Hussain who called on Sri Lankan High Commissioner in Pakistan Mohan Wijewickrama on Tuesday said that the incident was condemned across the country.  The Sri Lankan envoy also said that it would not affect bilateral relations.  In the past, the Sri Lankan cricket team was attacked in March, 2009.  However, bilateral ties were not affected.