[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 69 (Thursday, May 16, 2013)]
[House]
[Page H2669]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




COMMEMORATING THE FOURTH ANNIVERSARY OF THE END OF THE CIVIL WAR IN SRI 
                                 LANKA

  (Mr. JOHNSON of Ohio asked and was given permission to address the 
House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. JOHNSON of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the 
fourth anniversary of the end of the civil war in Sri Lanka on May 18, 
2009.
  The last stages of the war were met with grave allegations of war 
crimes, including the Sri Lankan Government's treatment of Tamil 
civilians within no-fire zones--attacks that were a blatant violation 
of human rights.
  As a result of the ensuing international outrage, Sri Lanka 
established a commission of inquiry to investigate the events of the 
26-year civil war. However, this commission had no accountability and 
yielded little explanation for the families, the victims, or the 
international community.
  We are left with the task of identifying what really happened during 
the last years of this terrible civil war and to hold accountable those 
who have committed war crimes. We also face the challenge of brokering 
peace in a country torn apart by civil war.
  I urge the Government of Sri Lanka to demonstrate commitment towards 
reconciliation and promote human rights, particularly before hosting 
the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in November.

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