Overseas Pakistanis have collected tens of thousands of dollars to help the family of Priyantha Diyawadan Kumara, a Sri Lankan who was brutally murdered in Sialkot earlier this month on blasphemy charges.
The 48-year-old industrial exports manager was savagely murdered by a mob who accused him of blasphemy. His body was set on fire after he was tortured to death.
Since the event, there has been a massive outpouring of sympathy from Pakistani and international communities. To assist the victim’s widow and children, a dynamic people-to-people campaign was launched, and 100% of the monies generated will go directly to the family for their urgent and long-term needs.
The organisers have already made the appropriate procedures to ensure that the first milestone payment of the donations, estimated to be around 2.5 million Sri Lankan rupees, is placed into the widow’s bank account.
To date, approximately $16,000 CAD has been raised, and the organisers continue to encourage everyone to donate so that the $50,000 CAD target can be met.
Organizers hope to meet this objective in time for the virtual memorial on December 18th, with additional large contributions already confirmed.
“This will also be a time for communities all over the world to express their solidarity with the bereaved family. In the following days, we will provide more information about this event, including login details “The event’s organisers stated.
“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 organiser 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 organisers 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 about more than just giving money,” Rizvee explained. “It’s also about uniting the community to offer comfort and hope to a family dealing with a tragic loss.”
The campaign’s organisers 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.
