Political Quotes

“Mr. President, this past spring marked the 2-year anniversary of the end of Sri Lanka's civil war. After more than two decades of fighting and estimated losses of far too many innocent people, Sri Lankans now seek to build a peaceful future from their recent violent past. The task will not be easy. Infrastructure must be rebuilt. Good governance must be established. Education, health care, and a thriving economy must be available for millions of citizens. And so, too, must there be accountability and investigation into alleged violations and abuses of international human rights. From July 1983 until May 2009, Sri Lanka's civil war claimed the lives of innocent civilians including children and women, seniors and students, many of whom may have fallen victim to violations of international human rights and humanitarian laws. The families of these victims deserve to know the truth about their loved ones' deaths. They need to know that those responsible for the atrocities and violations of basic human rights will be held accountable. This is the only way Sri Lanka can come to grips with its past as it moves forward toward its future. We have seen how accountability can lead to reconciliation for societies emerging from violent civil strife. South Africa and Northern Ireland are just two recent examples.…”