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.

IV 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 bomb- ings 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 deto- nated bombs in the Sri Lankan cities of Batticaloa, Colombo, and Negombo, killing more than 250 people, in- cluding 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 VerDate Sep 11 2014 23:34 May 01, 2019 Jkt 089200 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6300 E:\BILLS\HR346.IH HR346 kjohnson on DSK79L0C42 with BILLS 2 •HRES 346 IH 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 ac- counts 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 coa- lition 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 at- tacks; 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 fur- ther progress on these fronts, which are essential for a lasting peace, ethnic and religious harmony, and a pros- perous future for all; Whereas the Government of Sri Lanka has expressed its com- mitment to addressing the needs of all ethnic and reli- gious groups, ensuring all may live in security, equality, and dignity, and has recognized the necessity of a polit- ical settlement to build a peaceful, equitable, and demo- cratic society; VerDate Sep 11 2014 23:34 May 01, 2019 Jkt 089200 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6300 E:\BILLS\HR346.IH HR346 kjohnson on DSK79L0C42 with BILLS 3 •HRES 346 IH Whereas reconciliation is a long-term process that must be led by the Sri Lankan government and driven by the peo- ple of Sri Lanka, including civil society and nongovern- mental organizations; Whereas the Government of Sri Lanka has expressed its com- mitment not to allow the emergency powers instituted fol- lowing 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 al- lowed to exacerbate ethnic or religious conflict or to jus- tify the abuse of the rule of law; and Whereas the United States is home to a large Sri Lankan di- aspora that has become an integral part of and made sig- nificant contributions to American society: Now, there- fore, be it Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 1 (1) offers its deepest condolences and sym- 2 pathies to the families and friends of the victims, 3 those who were injured, and all those affected by the 4 April 21 terrorist attacks; 5 (2) acknowledges the 10th anniversary of the 6 end of the country’s civil war and calls on the 7 United States Government to continue to support 8 Sri Lanka’s efforts to advance justice, account- 9 ability, and reconciliation throughout the country, 10 and the healing of all people that have been affected 11 by the war and the April 21 terrorist attacks; 12 VerDate Sep 11 2014 23:34 May 01, 2019 Jkt 089200 PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6201 E:\BILLS\HR346.IH HR346 kjohnson on DSK79L0C42 with BILLS 4 •HRES 346 IH (3) calls on politicians, civil society, and all Sri 1 Lankans not to allow the April 21 terrorist attacks 2 to impede Sri Lanka’s efforts to address the root 3 causes of the civil war, the government’s responsi- 4 bility to protect citizens of all communities, or the 5 government’s efforts to address accountability and 6 reconciliation; 7 (4) calls on the Sri Lankan government to en- 8 sure the protection of vulnerable communities, in- 9 cluding religious and ethnic minorities, to prevent 10 acts of violence directed against any particular com- 11 munity; 12 (5) acknowledges the importance of parties 13 reaching a long-term political settlement that helps 14 advance mutual respect and reconciliation in the 15 country; and 16 (6) calls on the United States Government to 17 implement policy with regard to Sri Lanka that im- 18 proves economic and trade ties as well as human 19 rights and addresses counter terrorism and security 20 sector reform, while supporting initiatives that focus 21 on accountability and reconciliation. 22 Æ VerDate Sep 11 2014 23:34 May 01, 2019 Jkt 089200 PO 00000 Frm 00004 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6301 E:\BILLS\HR346.IH HR346 kjohnson on DSK79L0C42 with BILLS