WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Jim Risch (R-Idaho) and Ben Cardin (D-Md.), along with U.S. Representatives Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-Ill) and Bill Johnson (R-Ohio), have introduced a bipartisan resolution expressing the United States' support for the peaceful democratic and economic aspirations of the people of Sri Lanka.
The resolution, which has been introduced in both the Senate and the House of Representatives, calls on the government of Sri Lanka to hold free and fair local elections as soon as possible and to strengthen good governance, rule of law, corruption, justice, accountability, and human rights measures.
Senator Risch, the ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, stated, "Strengthening Sri Lanka's democracy supports a more secure and prosperous Indo-Pacific. The United States will continue to support the people of Sri Lanka in their pursuit of peace, prosperity, and democracy."
Senator Cardin emphasized the importance of justice and accountability, saying, "The people of Sri Lanka deserve peace, prosperity, and justice. This resolution makes clear that the United States stands with the people of Sri Lanka in their effort to form a more inclusive, just, democratic, and economically sustainable future."
Representative Krishnamoorthi highlighted the challenges faced by the people of Sri Lanka, stating, "The people of Sri Lanka have experienced decades of war, economic crisis, and political suppression that have led to this moment of inflection in the nation's history. This resolution reinforces the principle that Sri Lanka's leaders must safeguard the political, economic, and social rights of the populace."
Representative Johnson, co-chair of the Congressional Caucus on Ethnic and Religious Freedom in Sri Lanka, expressed his hope that the resolution encourages the Sri Lankan government to take positive actions. He said, "I am hopeful that it encourages the Sri Lankan government to provide greater transparency, increased human rights, and accountability for past alleged war crimes and violations of human and civil rights."
The resolution urges the government of Sri Lanka to address corruption, ensure justice and accountability for human rights abuses, and hold free and fair local and provincial elections without further delay. It also recognizes the devastating impact of the political, economic, and humanitarian crisis faced by the people of Sri Lanka.
Furthermore, the resolution acknowledges that government corruption, financial mismanagement, failures in the rule of law, and predatory lending associated with the People's Republic of China have exacerbated the crisis. The Sri Lankan government's indefinite postponement of local elections and its failure to address endemic corruption and impunity have weakened Sri Lanka's democracy.
The resolution emphasizes that many of those responsible for the crisis are also implicated in human rights abuses against Sinhalese, Tamils, and Muslims across Sri Lanka dating back to the civil war.
The introduction of this bipartisan resolution demonstrates the United States' commitment to supporting the Sri Lankan people in their efforts to end corruption, pursue justice, and strengthen democracy. It sends a clear message that the United States stands with the people of Sri Lanka in their pursuit of peace, prosperity, and a more inclusive society.
For the full text of the resolution, please click here.
For additional details, please follow this link: https://www.foreign.senate.gov/press/rep/release/risch-cardin-krishnamoorthi-johnson-introduce-bipartisan-resolution-to-support-the-sri-lankan-people-and-their-efforts-to-end-corruption-and-pursue-justice-and-strengthen-democracy
