IV 
114TH CONGRESS 
2D SESSION 
H. RES. 955 
Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives regarding the progress 
of peace and justice, accountability, and reconciliation in Sri Lanka 
after 26 years of a debilitating armed conflict, and support for inclusive 
development and a strong and enduring relationship between the United 
States and Sri Lanka. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
DECEMBER 8, 2016 
Mr. SALMON (for himself, Mr. DUNCAN of South Carolina, Mr. DESJARLAIS, 
Mr. PRICE of North Carolina, Mr. PALLONE, and Mr. ROSKAM) sub-
mitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on 
Foreign Affairs 
RESOLUTION 
Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives regard-
ing the progress of peace and justice, accountability, 
and reconciliation in Sri Lanka after 26 years of a 
debilitating armed conflict, and support for inclusive de-
velopment and a strong and enduring relationship be-
tween the United States and Sri Lanka. 
Whereas more than 7 years have now passed since the end 
of the 26-year conflict between the Liberation Tigers of 
Tamil Eelam and the Government of Sri Lanka; 
Whereas the people of Sri Lanka suffered greatly as a result 
of this conflict, the impact and aftermath of which has 
been felt especially by women, children, and families; 
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•HRES 955 IH 
Whereas the United States and Sri Lanka have a long stand-
ing partnership based in large part on shared democratic 
traditions; 
Whereas Maithripala Sirisena was sworn in as the new Presi-
dent of Sri Lanka in January 2015, campaigning on a 
message of anticorruption, inclusion, and reconciliation, 
and marking the beginning of a new era of the United 
States-Sri Lanka ties; 
Whereas in September 2015, the United States, Sri Lanka, 
and other international partners tabled a resolution at 
the United Nations Human Rights Council that empha-
sized the importance of truth, justice, reparations, and 
guarantees of nonrecurrence in promoting reconciliation 
and an enduring peace and prosperity for all Sri 
Lankans; 
Whereas in October 2015, Sri Lanka became the first South 
Asian nation to join the Open Government Partnership, 
expanding upon their renewed commitment to trans-
parency and accountability; 
Whereas, on February 26, 2016, the United States and Sri 
Lanka held its first annual Partnership Dialogue in 
Washington, DC, demonstrating the strengthening of bi-
lateral relations through regular and structured engage-
ment; 
Whereas the Governments of the United States and Sri 
Lanka convened the 12th United States Sri Lanka Trade 
and Investment Framework (TIFA) Council on April 28, 
2016, in Washington, DC, and agreed to further 
strengthen United States-Sri Lanka economic coopera-
tion; 
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•HRES 955 IH 
Whereas the United States Congress’ House Democracy 
Partnership and the Parliament of Sri Lanka signed a 
Collaboration Agreement on September 14, 2016, to en-
gage in a mutually beneficial partnership between the two 
legislatures; 
Whereas reconciliation is a long-term process that will need 
to be led by the Sri Lankan Government and driven by 
the people of Sri Lanka, including civil society and non-
governmental organizations; 
Whereas progress on investigations into reports of war 
crimes, crimes against humanity, and other human rights 
violations during the conflict and promoting reconciliation 
would facilitate even greater United States engagement, 
bilateral trade, and investment in Sri Lanka; 
Whereas the United States is home to a large Sri Lankan di-
aspora, including Sinhalese, Tamils, and Muslims, who 
have become an integral part of American society; 
Whereas Sri Lanka is strategically located at the nexus of 
maritime trading routes connecting Europe and the Mid-
dle East to China and the rest of Asia; and 
Whereas the policy of the United States should be based on 
an integrated strategy that improves economic and trade 
ties while supporting initiatives that focus upon account-
ability and reconciliation as well as the normalization of 
Sri Lankan military presence throughout the country: 
Now, therefore, be it 
Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 
(1) commends the people of Sri Lanka for their 
commitment to democracy and the democratic proc-
ess; 
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•HRES 955 IH 
(2) commends President Sirisena and Prime 
Minister Wickremesinghe for their commitment to 
peace, and reconciliation for all Sri Lankans; 
(3) calls on the Government of Sri Lanka to 
fulfill the commitments it has made to all commu-
nities, ethnicities, and religions, and under United 
Nations Human Rights Council Resolution A/HRC/ 
30/L.29; 
(4) supports Sri Lanka’s continuing efforts to 
rid the country of landmines remaining from the 
conflict and which kill or maim innocent civilians; 
(5) supports the normalization of the military 
presence of Sri Lanka; 
(6) supports the Sri Lankan Government in its 
efforts to provide a peace dividend, to the people of 
Sri Lanka, including by advancing accountability, 
reconciliation, devolution of power, broad-based eco-
nomic development and further integrating the Sri 
Lankan economy into the global trading system; and 
(7) expresses support for United States assist-
ance in the development of Sri Lanka as it works to 
develop and diversify the economy. 
Æ 
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