Recognizing the devastating April 21, 2019, terrorist bombings in Sri Lanka and observing 10 years since the end of Sri Lanka’s decades-long civil war, which ended on May 18, 2009.

offers its deepest condolences and sympathies to the families and friends of the victims, those who were injured, and all those affected by the April 21 terrorist attacks;

acknowledges the 10th anniversary of the end of the country’s civil war and calls on the United States Government to continue to support Sri Lanka’s efforts to advance justice, accountability, and reconciliation throughout the country, and the healing of all people that have been affected by the war and the April 21 terrorist attacks;

calls on politicians, civil society, and all Sri Lankans not to allow the April 21 terrorist attacks to impede Sri Lanka’s efforts to address the root causes of the civil war, the government’s responsibility to protect citizens of all communities, or the government’s efforts to address accountability and reconciliation;

calls on the Sri Lankan government to ensure the protection of vulnerable communities, including religious and ethnic minorities, to prevent acts of violence directed against any particular community;

acknowledges the importance of parties reaching a long-term political settlement that helps advance mutual respect and reconciliation in the country; and

calls on the United States Government to implement policy with regard to Sri Lanka that improves economic and trade ties as well as human rights and addresses counter terrorism and security sector reform, while supporting initiatives that focus on accountability and reconciliation.