Sri Lanka to bolster security for international cricketers after Sialkot lynching

Published December 6, 2021
Galle Gladiators' Mohammad Hafeez (3rdR) celebrates with teammates after the dismissal of Jaffna Kings' Upul Tharanga during the Lanka Premier League (LPL) match between the Galle Gladiators and Jaffna Kings at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on December 5. — AFP
Galle Gladiators' Mohammad Hafeez (3rdR) celebrates with teammates after the dismissal of Jaffna Kings' Upul Tharanga during the Lanka Premier League (LPL) match between the Galle Gladiators and Jaffna Kings at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on December 5. — AFP

Sri Lanka will bolster security for international cricketers after a national of the country, factory manager Priyantha Kumara, was lynched and set ablaze by a mob in Sialkot over blasphemy allegations, an official said on Monday.

A dozen players from Pakistan are taking part in the Lanka Premier League (LPL) T20 competition, including veterans Shoaib Malik and Mohammad Hafeez.

An official from Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) told AFP that extra precautions will be taken in light of Friday's vigilante lynching, which has caused outrage across Sri Lanka.

Also read: The Sialkot lynching is another reminder that sanity and our blighted land have parted ways

“We have enhanced security across the board, not just for the Pakistani players,” the official said, speaking on condition of anonymity.

A mob comprising hundreds of protestors, including the employees of the factory Kumara was the manager of, had tortured him to death and later burnt his body over blasphemy allegations.

A first information report was registered against 900 workers of Rajco Industries on the application of Uggoki Station House Officer (SHO) Armaghan Maqt under Sections 302, 297, 201, 427, 431, 157, 149 of the Pakistan Penal Code and 7 and 11WW of the Anti-Terrorism Act.

More than 131 suspects have been arrested so far, including 26 who played a "central role" in the brutal killing.

The remains of the expat factory manager were repatriated to Colombo on Monday, and authorities in Sri Lanka have asked for the culprits to be punished for the “brutal and fatal attack”.

The five-team LPL began on Sunday and ends with a December 23 final.

Opinion

Editorial

Judiciary’s SOS
Updated 28 Mar, 2024

Judiciary’s SOS

The ball is now in CJP Isa’s court, and he will feel pressure to take action.
Data protection
28 Mar, 2024

Data protection

WHAT do we want? Data protection laws. When do we want them? Immediately. Without delay, if we are to prevent ...
Selling humans
28 Mar, 2024

Selling humans

HUMAN traders feed off economic distress; they peddle promises of a better life to the impoverished who, mired in...
New terror wave
Updated 27 Mar, 2024

New terror wave

The time has come for decisive government action against militancy.
Development costs
27 Mar, 2024

Development costs

A HEFTY escalation of 30pc in the cost of ongoing federal development schemes is one of the many decisions where the...
Aitchison controversy
Updated 27 Mar, 2024

Aitchison controversy

It is hoped that higher authorities realise that politics and nepotism have no place in schools.