Congressional Records
Proceedings and debate of the
109th congress, Second Session
House of Representatives
December 8, 2006
In my time in Congress, I have had the opportunity to visit our South
Asian ally, Sri Lanka. This small island nation has directly suffered
both the devastating effects of the 2004 Tsunami and the continuing
threat of homegrown terrorism, which has experienced a recent resurgence.
Many years before the tragic events of September 11, 2001, Sri Lanka
was confronting the grim specter of suicide terrorism. In fact, many
of the suicide tactics utilized by terrorists in the Middle East originated
with the Tamils. Because of this and because of their ties with other
international terrorist groups, the Tamils pose a threat to Americans
around the globe as well.
Despite the fact that a cease-fire remains in effect, over the past
year, the Liberation Tigers of Tam Eelam (LTTE) have continued to
commit acts of violence against the legitimate government of Sri Lanka.
The recent spate of violence began in August of last year with the
assassination of Sri Lanka's Foreign Minister, Lakshman Kadirgamar.
In a further attempt to damage the democratic process, the LTTE prevented
the Tamil population in the Wanni region from voting in the Presidential
election last November. Since the Inauguration of President Mahinda
Rajapaksa, the LTTE has stepped up attacks on unarmed civilians including
the use of fragmentation bombs against a bus killing 64 and injuring
80. Additionally, they have carried out assassinations of the Commander
of the Sri Lanka Army and the Deputy Chief of Staff of the Army and
attacked a convoy of off-duty sailors, killing 94 and injuring many
more. In all of these cases, the attacks were carried out by suicide
bombers.
The LTTE has cultivated a worldwide network of weapons suppliers.
Here in the United States, the FBI was able to apprehend Tamil agents
who attempted to purchase surface-to-air missiles in New York and
Maryland. Tamil agents have been arrested here for attempting to bribe
customs agents and funnel illicit funds through charities. While the
Tamils continue their attempts to operate in the United States, federal
authorities are vigorously investigating and prosecuting those who
are recruiting support for terrorism in Sri Lanka.
The Sri Lankan government gives every indication that it is committed
to a peaceful settlement to this conflict within their nation's borders.
Even after an attempt on the life of Defense Secretary Rajapakse,
the President's brother, the government refuses to institute an outright
ban on the Tamil Tigers. Norwegian peace negotiators, who had presided
over the current cease-fire agreements, continue their efforts to
bring the LTTE to the peace table but, unfortunately, Tiger leader
Prabhakaran has called for a full resumption of hostilities. The government
is ready to except the Tigers as a peaceful political party but not
as a purveyor of violence.
Sri Lanka is a beautiful nation filled with hopeful people who wish
to live in peace, and I am hopeful that they will soon see a resolution
to these dangerous difficulties.
Scott Garrett
Member of Congress
