GL discusses financial security of late Priyantha Kumara’s family with Pakistan envoy

Foreign Minister Prof. G.L. Peiris yesterday had a meeting with the Acting High Commissioner of Pakistan in Colombo Tanvir Ahmad to discuss matters relating to the financial security/compensation for the family of late Priyantha Kumara, who was killed by a mob in Sialkot, Pakistan last week.

While highlighting the long-standing friendship and trust between Pakistan and Sri Lanka, Pieris expressed confidence that the Pakistan government would take the required steps to ensure that the family of late Priyantha Kumara gets justice.

Recalling a telephone call with Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi on Saturday, Pieris said: “He offered his condolences and promised to make available to Sri Lanka all the information from the probe at the earliest.”

The Foreign Minister also appreciated the intervention of the Pakistan Prime Minister, who has taken personal charge of this investigation and taken steps to immediately investigate the incident. He also welcomed the announcement of the donation of $ 100,000 by the business community in Sialkot and payment of Priyantha Kumara’s monthly salary to his widow.

Peiris highlighted the fact that the Sri Lankan Government was concerned about the future of the two children of the late Priyantha Kumara and the importance of receiving the payments on time. He requested the Pakistan envoy to arrange a mechanism to ensure that the salary would be received by the family every month without any disruption.

Conveying his heartfelt apologies for the incident, the Acting High Commissioner assured that the Government of Pakistan had taken the necessary steps for a full investigation and ensured compensation for the family. The law enforcement agencies in Pakistan are working to ensure the safety of all other Sri Lankans living in Pakistan, he further stated.