WASHINGTON, D.C. - The US Congress has urged the Sri Lankan Government to expedite rehabilitation of internally displaced Tamil civilians from military-guarded camps and begin the process of political reconciliation.

Co-sponsored by 32 lawmakers, the House of Representatives resolution No 711, passed late Nov 4, urged Sri Lanka to guarantee the safety and release of internally displaced persons (IDPs) in camps and to ensure their re-establishment in their homes.

The resolution asked the government to turn over the operation of the camps to civilian authorities and allow international agencies and independent NGOs to assist in the rehabilitation process.
It also urges the Tamil people to “continue to be patient” while the government re-establishes normalcy, while asking the Lankan government to create political reforms that will resolve the concerns of Tamil people.

A day earlier, in a speech on the floor of the House, Chairman of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, Howard Berman, had said Sri Lankan Government must provide the international community with a transparent and implementable road map for the release of the remaining IDPs.

“It is long past time for the Sinhalese and the Tamil populations of Sri Lanka to turn the page and, hand in hand, begin a new life together as citizens of a whole, peaceful Sri Lanka,” he said.

Meanwhile, Congressman Ed Royce said terrorists in Sri Lanka may be 10,000 strong and hiding in those camps. “These are the same terrorists who used civilians as human shields and employed lethal force to prevent them from fleeing the previous fighting. The Tamil Tiger infrastructure must be rooted out even as we support the effort to release the civilians,” Royce said. Congressman Ted Peo said the US is ready to help the Sri Lankan government in its efforts.        (PTI)