Recognizing the hundreds of thousands of lives lost during Sri Lanka's almost 30-year armed conflict, which ended 15 years ago on May 18, 2009, and ensuring nonrecurrence of past violence, including the Tamil Genocide, by supporting the right to self-determination of Eelam Tamil people and their call for an independence referendum for a lasting peaceful resolution.

International Affairs

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Legislation Details

Recognizes the significant loss of life during Sri Lanka’s nearly 30-year armed conflict, which concluded on May 18, 2009.
Acknowledges the historical context of the conflict, including the merging of Sinhalese and Tamil territories under British administration in 1833.
Highlights the Tamil United Liberation Front’s 1976 Vaddukoddai Resolution, which asserted the right to self-determination for the Tamil nation and called for an independent Tamil Eelam.
Critiques the 6th amendment to Sri Lanka’s constitution, enacted in 1983, for infringing on the rights of Eelam Tamils to advocate for independence.
Notes the rejection of the 13th amendment to the constitution by Eelam Tamil leaders, as it did not meet their aspirations for self-governance.
References statements from U.S. officials acknowledging the legitimate desires of the Tamil community for self-determination.
Mentions commitments made by Sri Lanka to find a lasting political solution and accountability for human rights violations following the end of the conflict.
Cites a 2021 UN report warning of the potential recurrence of human rights violations in Sri Lanka and calling for international action.
Points out the ongoing militarization of Tamil homeland, land appropriation, and destruction of Tamil heritage sites by the Sri Lankan government.
Compares the situation to other conflicts that have been resolved through independence referendums, advocating for a similar approach for the Eelam Tamils.
Urges the U.S. to enhance diplomatic relations with Eelam Tamils and support their political rights and self-determination through a recognized independence referendum.
Recognizes the genocide against the Eelam Tamil people by the Sri Lankan government.

Cosponsors