The US Ambassador to Sri Lanka Julie Chung met with Tamil families of the disappeared, former combatants, and former Prevention of Terrorism (PTA) detainees, where she reiterated the inherent right of the families to mourn and memorialise their dead.
Chung who is currently touring Jaffna, said on X:
“Even today many Sri Lankan citizens face continued intimidation. All families have the right to memorialize loved ones. Their stories are poignant reminders of the need for a peaceful, durable political solution.”
Met with families of the disappeared, former combatants, and former PTA detainees ahead of the 15th anniversary of the civil war's end. Even today many Sri Lankan citizens face continued intimidation. All families have the right to memorialize loved ones. Their stories are… pic.twitter.com/HAWu46ZpWA
— Ambassador Julie Chung (@USAmbSL) May 17, 2024
The Ambassador also met the Northern Provincial Governor P.S.M Charles where she had inquired about the release of lands in the homeland and of access to those lands that have been freed. The Tamil Guardian recently pointed out that although the Sri Lankan government released a few parcels of land, their access was severely restricted. The Tamil residents mentioned they had to circumvent several roads to reach their lands or rely on dilapidated roads, undermining their efforts to clear and reside in those lands again.
During her visit, Chung also met with Tamil political party representatives where the discussions centered around their call for accountability and challenges faced by the Tamil people.
“During my meeting with representatives of the Tamil National Alliance we discussed the continued challenges faced by communities in the North, their calls for accountability, and their proposals for ensuring the voices of minority groups are heard to foster an inclusive Sri Lanka,” she tweeted.
Chung's visit comes as a landmark resolution was introduced to the US Congress calling on the United States to work towards an independence referendum for Eelam Tamils and recognise the genocide committed against them by the Sri Lankan state. The resolution, introduced by Representative Wiley Nickel, is the first of its kind to be brought to the US Congress. It comes as Tamils marked 15 years since the Mullivaikkal genocide this week, with May 18 commemorated as Tamil Genocide Remembrance Day worldwide.
