Overseas Pakistani organizers have collected tens of thousands of dollars to help the family of Priyantha Diyawadan Kumara, a Sri Lankan who was brutally slain in Sialkot earlier this month on blasphemy charges.
The 48-year-old was a manufacturing exports manager who was brutally murdered by a mob who accused him of blasphemy. His body was set on fire and he was tortured to death.
Since the event, there has been an outpouring of solidarity from Pakistani and international communities. To assist the victim’s widow and children, a dynamic people-to-people effort was launched, with 100% of cash raised going directly to the family for their urgent and long-term needs.
The organizers have already made the necessary arrangements to ensure the first milestone payment of the donations, approximately 2.5 million Sri Lankan rupees, made to date is deposited into the widow’s bank account.
To date, nearly $16,000 Canadian dollars have been raised and the organizers continue to encourage everyone to donate in order to reach the $50,000 CAD goal.
With additional significant contributions already confirmed, organizers are aiming to achieve this goal in time for the virtual memorial on December 18.
“This will also be a time for communities across the world to show their collective support for the grieving family. Details of this event, including login information, will be provided in the coming days,” said the organizers.
“Based on the combined efforts of the Pakistani communities around the world, we have already reached 30% of the goal within a matter of days,” said Azim Rizvee, the organizer of the campaign. “While no amount of money can erase this tragedy, our campaign hopes to lessen the burden of the victim’s family in some way.”
Campaign organizers were also able to meet with the victim’s widow, Nilushi Dissanayake, to express their condolences and give information about the campaign, thanks to the team ambassador in Sri Lanka.
Rizvee recently visited with Dissanayake and her children through video conference app to provide an update on the ongoing efforts. “This campaign is not just about providing financial assistance,” Rizvee said. “It’s also about rallying the community to provide comfort and hope to a family that is experiencing a devastating tragedy.”
The campaign’s organizers will meet with Sri Lankan Consul General Kapila S. Jayaweera in Toronto, Canada on Monday, December 13 to discuss the next steps.
They also intend to communicate with Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan’s office in this regard.
Organizers expressed optimism that, in addition to the long-standing friendship and trust between Pakistan and Sri Lanka, both communities will work together to provide the victim’s family with the help they require now and in the future.
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