Sialkot lynching aftermath: Sri Lanka cricket great all praise for PM Imran

A whole nation should not be judged by the actions of a few, says Arjuna Ranatunga

Arjuna Ranatunga – Sri Lanka’s World Cup winning cricket captain and politician – has written a letter to Prime Minister Imran Khan, who himself won Pakistan its only ODI WC back in 1992, and appreciated his government’s efforts to punish the culprits of the Sialkot tragedy.

The nation was shell-shocked and disgusted when a Sri Lankan national, Priyantha Kumara, was brutally lynched and his body set on fire by a mob in Sialkot earlier this month over blasphemy allegations.

The sickening incident outraged the nation as the civil and military leaders denounced it as “horrific”, “shameful” and “extra-judicial vigilantism”.

Also read: Sialkot lynching accused to be tried in jail

“Let me start by commending you and your government for the diligent efforts to bring justice to the barbaric, violent crime committed against Priyantha Kumara Diyawadanage. As you [PM Imran] have reiterated in the media over the past few days, such violent, vigilante behaviour should be condemned vigorously,” the legendary cricketer wrote.

Dear Hon. Prime Minister @ImranKhanPTI,

Thank you for all your efforts in bringing justice for the crime committed against Priyantha Diyawadanage, and for the continued support and commitment toward his family.

Best Regards,

Your friend and colleague,

Arjuna pic.twitter.com/WwcvOWaIjK

— Arjuna Ranatunga (@ArjunaRanatunga) December 13, 2021

“Nevertheless, it is important that we all understand that these acts were carried out by a small portion of the population, and that a whole nation should not be judged on the actions of a few, especially considering the longstanding relationship between our two nations,” he added.

“Thank you for all your efforts in bringing justice for the crime committed against Priyantha Kumara Diyawadanage, and for the continued support and commitment toward his family,” Ranatunga wrote on his Twitter handle.

Police have so far arrested over 120 suspects including the main accused for of their primary role in the Sialkot lynching tragedy.