Title: Recognizing the devastating April 21, 2019, terrorist bombings in Sri Lanka and observing 10 years since the end of Sri Lanka's decades-long civil war, which ended on May 18, 2009.
Policy area: International Affairs

Summary:
This resolution offers condolences to the families and friends of the victims of the April 21, 2019, terrorist attacks in Sri Lanka and expresses support for efforts to advance reconciliation, religious and ethnic protection, human rights, and security.

[Congressional Bills 116th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 346 Introduced in House (IH)]

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116th CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. RES. 346

 Recognizing the devastating April 21, 2019, terrorist bombings in Sri 
Lanka and observing 10 years since the end of Sri Lanka's decades-long 
                civil war, which ended on May 18, 2009.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                              May 1, 2019

Ms. Titus (for herself, Mr. Engel, Mr. McCaul, Mr. Krishnamoorthi, Mr. 
Aderholt, Ms. Omar, Mr. Johnson of Ohio, Mr. Sherman, Mr. Yoho, and Mr. 
 Chabot) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the 
                      Committee on Foreign Affairs

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
 Recognizing the devastating April 21, 2019, terrorist bombings in Sri 
Lanka and observing 10 years since the end of Sri Lanka's decades-long 
                civil war, which ended on May 18, 2009.

Whereas, on Easter Sunday, April 21, 2019, terrorists detonated bombs in the Sri 
        Lankan cities of Batticaloa, Colombo, and Negombo, killing more than 250 
        people, including 45 children, and injuring at least 500 others;
Whereas the victims came from more than a dozen countries and included people 
        worshipping at Easter services at Zion Church in Batticaloa, St. 
        Anthony's Shrine in Kochchikade, Colombo, and St. Sebastian's Church in 
        Negombo, as well as the Cinnamon Grand, the Shangri-La, and the 
        Kingsbury hotels;
Whereas four American citizens were killed in the attacks;
Whereas the Government of Sri Lanka has identified the group National Towheeth 
        Jama'ath (NTJ) as responsible for the attacks;
Whereas following the attack, ISIS-affiliated social media accounts published a 
        video depicting NTJ members believed to be the attackers pledging 
        allegiance to ISIS and said that the attackers targeted nationals of 
        counter-ISIS coalition member nations and Christians in Sri Lanka;
Whereas the Federal Bureau of Investigation has deployed a team of agents to Sri 
        Lanka to support the Sri Lankan Government's investigation into the 
        April 21 terrorist attacks;
Whereas the April 21 terrorist attacks were the deadliest in Sri Lanka since the 
        end of that country's civil war that concluded on May 18, 2009;
Whereas Sri Lanka has worked toward transitional justice, reconciliation, and 
        reform since the end of the country's decades-long civil war and has 
        pledged to strive for further progress on these fronts, which are 
        essential for a lasting peace, ethnic and religious harmony, and a 
        prosperous future for all;
Whereas the Government of Sri Lanka has expressed its commitment to addressing 
        the needs of all ethnic and religious groups, ensuring all may live in 
        security, equality, and dignity, and has recognized the necessity of a 
        political settlement to build a peaceful, equitable, and democratic 
        society;
Whereas reconciliation is a long-term process that must be led by the Sri Lankan 
        government and driven by the people of Sri Lanka, including civil 
        society and nongovernmental organizations;
Whereas the Government of Sri Lanka has expressed its commitment not to allow 
        the emergency powers instituted following the April 21 terrorist attacks 
        to infringe upon the civil liberties and human rights of Sri Lankans;
Whereas the use of such emergency powers should not be allowed to exacerbate 
        ethnic or religious conflict or to justify the abuse of the rule of law; 
        and
Whereas the United States is home to a large Sri Lankan diaspora that has become 
        an integral part of and made significant contributions to American 
        society: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) offers its deepest condolences and sympathies to the 
        families and friends of the victims, those who were injured, 
        and all those affected by the April 21 terrorist attacks;
            (2) acknowledges the 10th anniversary of the end of the 
        country's civil war and calls on the United States Government 
        to continue to support Sri Lanka's efforts to advance justice, 
        accountability, and reconciliation throughout the country, and 
        the healing of all people that have been affected by the war 
        and the April 21 terrorist attacks;
            (3) calls on politicians, civil society, and all Sri 
        Lankans not to allow the April 21 terrorist attacks to impede 
        Sri Lanka's efforts to address the root causes of the civil 
        war, the government's responsibility to protect citizens of all 
        communities, or the government's efforts to address 
        accountability and reconciliation;
            (4) calls on the Sri Lankan government to ensure the 
        protection of vulnerable communities, including religious and 
        ethnic minorities, to prevent acts of violence directed against 
        any particular community;
            (5) acknowledges the importance of parties reaching a long-
        term political settlement that helps advance mutual respect and 
        reconciliation in the country; and
            (6) calls on the United States Government to implement 
        policy with regard to Sri Lanka that improves economic and 
        trade ties as well as human rights and addresses counter 
        terrorism and security sector reform, while supporting 
        initiatives that focus on accountability and reconciliation.
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