Sri Lankan Man Lynched in Pakistan Over Blasphemy

In an incident local media believed was linked to alleged blasphemy, a Sri Lankan factory manager in Pakistan was beaten to death and set ablaze by a mob on Friday, authorities confirmed. Police were later sent to the area.

The incident was reported to Punjab Police IG Rao Sardar Ali Khan, who asked the Gujranwala regional police officer to respond promptly. The horrific act took place in Sialkot's Wazirabad Road, where private factory workers allegedly beat the factory's export manager and burned his body after torturing him to death. 

Later the district police officer identified the man as a Sri Lankan national, Priyantha Kumara. It was said that the 40-year old allegedly tore a poster of the hardline Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) with Quranic verses imprinted on it and put it in the trash.

Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan commented on the matter and called the incident, a "horrific vigilante attack".

"The horrific vigilante attack on factory in Sialkot & the burning alive of Sri Lankan manager is a day of shame for Pakistan. I am overseeing the investigations & let there be no mistake all those responsible will be punished with full severity of the law. Arrests are in progress," Khan said in a tweet.

The horrific vigilante attack on factory in Sialkot & the burning alive of Sri Lankan manager is a day of shame for Pakistan. I am overseeing the investigations & let there be no mistake all those responsible will be punished with full severity of the law. Arrests are in progress

— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) December 3, 2021