[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 82 (Wednesday, June 3, 2009)]
[Senate]
[Page S6026]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                               SRI LANKA

  Mr. FEINGOLD. Mr. President, last month Sri Lanka saw an end to the 
longstanding military conflict between the Liberation Tigers of Tamil 
Eelam, the LTTE, and the Sri Lankan Government. In the immediate days 
that followed the end of fighting, President Mahinda Rajapaksa 
delivered a speech to his nation's parliament which formally marked the 
conclusion of an armed conflict that has escalated since January, but 
stretches back over 26 years.
  This tragic war has claimed the lives of over 70,000 Sri Lankans, 
displaced hundreds of thousands, and seen systematic and brutal 
atrocities committed by both sides. Over the last 5 months, as the 
conflict intensified, it drew increasing and unprecedented attention 
from the international community. Nevertheless, obtaining a clear 
picture of this conflict, especially the situation of the estimated 
290,000 people living in internally displaced persons camps, has been 
obscured by the Sri Lankan Government's severe restrictions on access 
for media, international observers, and humanitarian aid workers. If we 
are to see a sustainable solution to this conflict over the long term, 
it is vital that the Sri Lankan Government remove these restrictions 
now and allow access to all independent actors.
  I was pleased that President Rajapaksa acknowledged that Sri Lanka 
must not accept a military solution as the ultimate solution. As we 
have seen in conflicts around the world, a military ceasefire will not 
hold if the underlying causes that led to this conflict are not 
addressed. The fundamental grievances of the Tamil minority have been 
overshadowed, distorted, and in some cases silenced by the severe 
tactics of the LTTE, who since 1997 have been designated by the United 
States as a terrorist organization. The LTTE claimed to be the voice of 
the Tamil people, and yet their commitment to both indiscriminate and 
targeted violence, as well as reports from the last days of fighting 
that they used Tamil civilians as human shields, would indicate 
otherwise. If we are to see legitimate reconciliation in Sri Lanka, the 
grievances of the Tamil minority must be seen as distinct from the 
violence of the LTTE and addressed thoroughly and justly.
  I urge President Rajapaksa to take steps now to demonstrate a serious 
commitment to a political solution, the rule of law, and most 
importantly, to genuinely addressing the needs of the Tamil people. At 
the same time, in proportion to the passion and effort with which the 
world's diplomats have demanded peace and respect for civilians 
throughout this conflict, donor countries must remain actively engaged 
and dedicated to helping bring about a lasting resolution to this 
decades-old conflict.
  I am especially concerned about issues surrounding resettlement. In 
the wake of this conflict, land mines line those roads which still 
exist and cover farmers' fields in northern Sri Lanka. Schools, 
hospitals, roads, homes, and businesses have been damaged and in some 
cases completely destroyed. Some 290,000 internally displaced people 
languish in squalid humanitarian camps the safe and voluntary return of 
whom must be a top priority for postconflict recovery. The Sri Lankan 
Government must not shirk its responsibility to help these people 
return to their homes swiftly and safely. The international community, 
too, can provide assistance to help these people return home safely or 
seek other lasting solutions. The U.S. government should join with its 
international partners to coordinate demining efforts, work with the 
Sri Lankan government to develop and rebuild infrastructure, and ensure 
that those who have been displaced are able to reclaim the land that is 
rightfully theirs.
  These events are critical steps in the right direction in a long and 
complicated history. If we seek to address this conflict 
comprehensively, we must learn from past setbacks and help identify new 
opportunities for the people of Sri Lanka. It will not be easy, but on 
behalf of all the innocent civilians whose lives have been caught in 
the crossfire of this conflict, we must support this opportunity to 
finally achieve lasting and long awaited peace in Sri Lanka.

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