Bravery Medal to man who tried to save Priyantha

Pakistan awards Medal of Bravery to man who tried to protect Priyantha Kumara

by Zulfick Farzan 07-12-2021 | 5:17 PM

(Pakistan); Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan awarded the 'Medal of Bravery' to Malik Adnan for endangering his own life in bid to save Priyantha Kumara from a mob.

Malik Adnan, a colleague of the slain Sri Lankan citizen, will be awarded Tamgha-i-Shujaat, or the 'Medal of Bravery' for "endangering his own life by physically trying to shield the victim," Prime Minister Imran Khan announced on Twitter on Sunday.

Diyawadana was beaten to death and his body burned by a mob in Sialkot, a city in Pakistan's northeastern Punjab province, on Friday.

Videos circulating on social media showed Adnan physically shielding the Sri Lankan in an attempt to save him from the vigilante mob.

He, however, had to give in as the mob comprising hundreds of charged protesters overpowered him.

"On behalf of the nation I want to salute moral courage & bravery of Malik Adnan who tried his utmost to shelter & save Priyantha Diyawadana from the vigilante mob in Sialkot incl endangering his own life by physically trying to shield victim. We will award him Tamgha i Shujaat," Khan wrote on Twitter.