Sri Lanka,The Only Democracy That Defeated Terror – US Congressman
Posted on July 17th, 2011
Courtesy ofƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ the Sunday Observer 17thJuly 2011
US congressman Heath Shuler in an open letter to his fellow colleagues in the House of Representatives has emphasized that the US future policy towards Sri Lanka should be focused on supporting the countryƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s reconciliation efforts and engagement with the US. 
The member for North Carolina and a member of the Steering and Policy Committee, Shuler, who visited Sri Lanka in May 2009, just days after the operations against the LTTE concluded, begins his letter ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”¹…”Today, Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International-USA are screening a controversial documentary about Sri Lanka.
There is a great deal of misinformation and debate about what occurred during the final days of Sri LankaƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s war.ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢
Recounting his experience, in the backdrop of the screening of the controversial documentary, he has said ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”¹…”Sri Lanka is the only democracy to have defeated a terrorist organization in recent memoryƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢.
ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚When I arrived in Sri Lanka, after the end of the war, the optimism and hope of the Sri Lankan people was palpable.
With the defeat of the Tigers for the first time in decades Sri Lankans felt safe from terror.
Even the Tamils I met in the recently constructed camps felt optimistic about the future of their country, knowing that security would bring much needed progress to everyone in the country.ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢
ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”¹…”ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢I saw the toll that the 26-year-long terror campaign waged by the Tigers had on the nation.
Our own government designated the Tigers as one of the worldƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s worst terror groups.
Over the past quarter of a century, the Tigers reigned terror on the nation, including suicide bombings, summary executions, ethnic cleansing, recruitment of child soldiers, drug smuggling, piracy and international money laundering.ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢
Reminding that Sri Lanka is a long time ally of the US, the member for North Carolina has pointed out that ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”¹…”US cannot discount the long standing and strategic relationshipƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢ with Sri Lanka which is an ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”¹…”enduring democracyƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢.
ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚Since my visit, I have been following the progress Sri Lanka has made. Since the end of the war, there has not been a single terrorist attack in Sri Lanka.ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚
ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”¹…”ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢Based on news accounts and UN documents, almost all of the 300,000 displaced persons in Sri Lanka have returned to their homes, over 11,000 former LTTE fighters and child soldiers have been rehabilitated and re-integrated into society, and nearly 60% of the two million landmines have been cleared.ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢
Shuler has also recognized that a ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”¹…”commission to investigate wrongdoings conducted by both sides during the conflict and to foster national healing and reconciliationƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢ is making progress.
In conclusion he has written ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”¹…”As we work together to develop our policy on Sri Lanka, I am happy to tell you about my experience thereƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢, adding that he was willing to discuss with any of his colleagues about the true situation in Sri Lanka as he had been closely watching the unfolding developments at the ground level – which was very much different to the picture portrayed in the public domain.
July 17th, 2011 at 5:57 pm
Thank you, Congressman Shuler, for explaining to your colleagues the true reality in Sri Lanka today. It is good to see one politician with integrity, and one who has not fallen to the lure of ‘campaign donations’ and promised votes by Tamil terrorists. Good for you, and good luck!
July 17th, 2011 at 6:42 pm
As a SRI LANKEN American, I am very proud of you, but you are swimming against the tide. Tamil Sangham in Boston have enough money to bulldozer you over many times. Please visit the Northern Province of Sri Lanka and see the difference. Then report to the congress. Many Sri Lanken Americans would like to see US Navy using the harbor facilities in Trincomalee. Can this be possible? Thanks a million, Kit Athul, Florida, USA.
July 18th, 2011 at 4:47 am
Thank you sir, here is a man who think before he speaks, man who research before gives his views, man who is not intimidated by terrorists, well done.
July 18th, 2011 at 7:16 am
There hasn’t been a peep of protest towards this item from the so called self righteous goody two shoes type big shots in the West as well as Europe and it only means that they are numbed into silence by the realities of this write up and probably shamefaced that they decided to throw in their lot behind the bucket carrying pro Tamil Tiger sycophants whose lies and innendo are gradually being exposed. Bravo Conglessman Schuler the world needs more of you!
The Tamil Sangham in Boston as well as all the Tamil Sanghams around the world need to be sterilized towards making the world a better place for all mankind!
July 19th, 2011 at 6:14 am
Thank you Sir,Hon US congressman Heath Shuler!
It is a great pleasure to read your valuable UNBIASSED comments about our Motherlanka, Sri Lanka.You have taken the pain to visit Sri Lanka and view,study,observe the correct ground realities in Sri Lanka after defeating the brutal terrorists-LTTE. Your great parents must be very proud to have delivered AN HONEST TRUTH SPEAKING GENTLEMANLY CONGRESSMAN IN US. And Sir, you are one in hundreds Senators WHO COULD NOT BE HOODWINKED WITH FAKE VIDEOs,FAKE PHOTOS Etc by the LTTE RUMPS roaming freely in US.In my humble opinion,many of those LTTE Tamil diasporas MAY BE LAUGHING THRU THEIR BACKSIDE AT THOSE CONGRESSMEN WHO HAVE BEEN PREJUDISED WITH MONETARY SUPPORT,EXPECTING TAMIL VOTES, for blindly accepting the false propaganda of Ch4 AS THE GOSPEL TRUTH.
But God has given you the correct wisdom to study well and submit your observations.Sir,your constituents must be very lucky to have a Great personality like you as their Hon Congressman.
Our Sri Lankan Sinhalese,Muslims and Tamil CIVILIANS suffered immensely during the last 3 decades from LTTE BRUTAL KILLINGS.
Thanks to our Great Hon President Mahinda Rajapakse’s FARSIGHTED VISSION and with the correct able support of Defence Sec Gotabaya and ALL THE GREAT WARRIORS-ARMY,NAVY,AIRFOCE, CIVIL DEFENSE & POLICE, MOTHER LANKA-SRI LANKA IS FREE FROM THE TERRORIST MENACE.
Once again Sir,US congressman Heath Shuler, THANK YOU VERY MUCH. Pl try to educate the misguided other US congressmen of the TRUE GROUND SITUATION IN SRI LANKA, who try to harass my Motherland!!!