10 Congressmen urge Blinken to use all diplomatic means to ensure citizens rights to protest are protected

COLOMBO (News 1st); Ten US Members of Congress have urged the US Secretary of State to use all diplomatic means available to ensure the Sri Lankan Government protects the right of citizens to protest and does not use violence against peaceful demonstrators and journalists.

In a letter directed to the US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and the USAID Administrator Samantha Power, the Congressmen and women have also requested the Administration to provide Sri Lanka with "additional swift action as meaningful support to the Sri Lankan people in their time of need."

Pointing out that the newly appointed President Wickremesinghe announced a state of emergency, placed the nation under curfew, denounced the protests, and even suggested the use of live ammunition in quelling them, the Congressmen have requested the US State Department to "continue to use all diplomatic means available to ensure the Sri Lankan Government protects the right of suffering citizens to peacefully protest and does not utilize  violence against peaceful demonstrators and journalists."

The statement urges to fully incorporate measures supporting the stabilization of Sri Lanka. The measures include advancing efforts to address longstanding issues related to accountability and reconciliation and improving democratic institutions in Sri Lanka to meet the US foreign policy goals for the region.

The letter also urged the USAID to take immediate action to provide relief to the Sri Lankan people, including increased food, medical, and fuel aid. The letter highlights that USAID provided $11.75 million in new humanitarian and development assistance at the end of June, adding "more is clearly needed now."