The Sri Lankan national, who was reportedly killed in battle in Syria while fighting for the Islamic State, was the former principal of an international school in the Galewela area, according to the school’s owner. 

The individual, who has been identified as Mohammed Niram, was first Sri Lankan IS militant killed in battle in Syria and was exposed with the release of an IS video and notes in the Facebook profile of one of his close relatives.

“We only found out that he had passed away after it was reported in the newspaper,” says Mohammed Sahabdeen Mohammed Samir, the owner of the International School. He said that Niram served at the school as the principle for 2 years until December, 2014. 

“After the final school term holiday had ended and on the day before school was set to recommence, he informed us that he has to leave for Mecca with his parents. That was the last thing he said to us,” he said.  

Samir said that Niram was married and living in Colombo while his place of birth is said to be Werellagama in Kandy. 

“He did not contact us after leaving the school and we did not know about this incident until it was reported in the paper,” he said. 

Meanwhile the Muslim Council of Sri Lanka today expressed its “deep dismay” at media reports of the first Sri Lankan killed in battle in Syria with IS.

“This group of extremists who call themselves the caliphate or Islamic State (Formerly known as ISIS) is a threat to Islam and the group violates both Sharia law and humanitarian law,” it said in a letter to the President. 

“Islam is a religion of mercy and tolerance that totally prohibits the taking of innocent lives. There is no theological basis for any crimes to be committed through terrorism or violence.” 

The Muslims of Sri Lanka stated that it join Islamic scholars and Muslim leaders around the world to condemn without any reservation the ISIS and its leader Abu Bakr al--‐Baghdadi for failing to respect key tenants of Islam. 

“Their actions are un--‐Islamic and inhumane.” 

While emphasizing that these are actions of misguided individuals, the MCSL called upon the President and the Government of Sri Lanka to conduct a thorough investigation, punish all who may have violated the laws of the land, and ensure that no more Sri Lankans are misled in to joining any terrorist movement.

“As civil society representatives of Muslims, we commit to help in any investigation and action that would be initiated by the government,” the letter said.