By Phurbu Thinley

Dharamsala, October 26: Exiled Tibetan leader His Holiness the Dalai Lama on Monday led mass prayers for the four Tibetans who were said to be executed by the Chinese government last Tuesday for their alleged role in the 2008 anti-China unrest in the Tibetan capital Lhasa.

Tibetan Government-in-Exile on Thursday said it had confirmed information that Lobsang Gyaltsen, 27, from Lhasa, Loyak, 25, of Tashi Khang, Shol Township, Lhasa, Penkyi, a 21-year old girl from Sakya County and an unidentified Tibetan were executed in Lhasa on Oct 20. The Dharamsala-based Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy (TCHRD), while confirming the executions has said the identity of the fourth one is not known yet.

Expressing “deep sadness” over the fate of the four Tibetans, the Dalai Lama today asked a large gathering of Tibetan exiles, including high lamas and senior Tibetan government officials, to join him in offering prayers and condolence to the victims and their family members.

“It is very distressing that they were of very young age,” the Dalai Lama said of the four Tibetans executed by Chinese authorities last week.

The Tibetan leader offered the prayers during an elaborate book launch function held at the Norbulingka Tibetan Cultural Institute located near Dharamsala here this morning. The institute launched a detailed six-volume biography of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama.

The newly enthroned 102nd Gaden Tripa Thubten Nyima Lungtok Tenzin Norbu, His Holiness the 17th Gyalwang Karmapa Ogyen Trinley Dorje, His Holiness the 33rd Menri Trizin Lungtok Tenpai Nyima and senior leaders of the Tibetan Government, including the Prime Minister Samdhong Rinpoche took part in the ceremonial function.

The Dalai Lama also expressed sympathy and offered prayers for those people who were killed during recent unrest in Xinjinag (East Turkestan) and those killed and injured in Sunday’s twin bomb blasts in Iraq’s capital Baghdad.

“So since we are gathered here in large number today, let’s take this opportunity to offer prayers for them,” the 74-year old Tibetan leader told the gathering before initiating the mass prayer session.