Senate to debate Sialkot lynching on Friday

The Senate on Thursday unanimously decided that it would discuss the violent mob attack and “shameful” lynching of a Sri Lankan citizen in Sialkot and how to stop such incidents from happening in the future in its session scheduled to be held on Friday (today).

According to the agenda, the upper house of parliament would set aside its normal business to discuss the killing of Priyantha Kumara, who was lynched to death by a mob in Sialkot earlier this month.

“That the house may discuss the shameful act of violent mob attack against a Sri Lankan citizen, Priyantha Kumara, as it maligns the peaceful religion of Islam and Pakistan,” reads the order of the day.

Read more: Prominent religious scholars condemn Sri Lankan’s lynching by mob

“There exists a need for a thorough debate in the Senate to make concerted efforts to curb violent tendencies and to stop such incidents from happening in the future,” it adds.

The agenda states that an adjournment motion would be presented, which would lead to setting aside the normal business of the house for discussing a definite matter of urgent public importance.

Under Rule 263 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in the Senate, 2012, reads the agenda, it would be requested that the requirement of Rule 41 of the said Rules regarding question hour be dispensed with for Friday’s session.

The 48-year-old, Priyantha, who was employed as an exports manager at a factory, was brutally murdered by a mob earlier this month, accusing him of committing blasphemy. Later, his body was set on fire.

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Priyantha’s mortal remains were repatriated to Colombo with state honours. Sri Lanka High Commissioner Mohan Wijewickrama maintained that the Sialkot incident would not affect the relations between Pakistan and Sri Lanka.

Afterwards, a remembrance ceremony was held at the Prime Minister’s Office for the slain Sri Lankan where a certificate of appreciation was awarded to Malik Adnan, a colleague who tried to rescue Kumara from the mob, in recognition of his bravery to safeguard the victim while risking his own life.