A SINGLE word in any dictionary cannot possibly justify the atrocity committed on Dec 3 in Sialkot. The lynching of Sri Lanka-born Priyantha Kumara is shocking, to say the least. Permitting rage and anger to cloud one’s judgment making one wonder if humanity has gone weak for what happened was beyond any semblance of humanity.

Despite academic and religious education given to mankind throughout their lifecycle, it turns out that we humans have indeed become complacent and weak. The Sri Lankan diaspora in Pakistan stands traumatised after having witnessed the tragedy.

Having been raised in Pakistan for over a decade — 13 years, to be precise — it is fair to claim that I have had a great childhood, surrounded by wonderful citizens that made sure that we, the ‘strangers’, were treated with love and respect. Not a single day in our life were we exposed to any threat. What has happened now? Individuals clearly do not come in all black, nor are they all white. Humans and states share the morally grey aspects of existence. The problem begins when one or the other insists on ignoring the grey zone.

I commend the authorities in Pakistan for having taken swift action to contain the situation from blowing out of proportion by tactfully approaching a crime that should not have occurred in the first place.

Given the circumstances, it is pertinent that we let events unfold as the relevant officials make an effort to provide justice to Priyantha Kumara’s family.

Penning my thoughts as part of the Sri Lankan diaspora in Australia, it is natural to develop unhealthy emotions, and formulate biased opinions with regard to the recent incident.

However, it is my belief that encouraging speculations and criticism will not undo the wrong that was committed; the apt approach that the concerned citizens can adopt is to assist the officials in bringing the wrongdoers to book, and to do so without stooping down to their dastardly level.

While the remains of the innocent soul have now been taken back to his motherland to lay in peace, it is my heartfelt wish to express my deepest condolences to the affected family. As a human being blessed with the gift of life, I can only hope that the cruelty of such magnitude may never befall or be inflicted upon any living being.

Priyantha Kumara, you may be gone, my dear friend, but you will never be forgotten. May you be fortunate enough to attain the bliss of nibbana.

Upuli Yasodara Imbulgoda
Melbourne, Australia

Published in Dawn, December 12th, 2021