Good afternoon, everyone.
This is the eleventh meeting of the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development, on Wednesday, March 25, 2009. This afternoon we're continuing our hearings in regard to the situation in Sri Lanka.
In our first hour, appearing as an individual, we have Robert Dietz, who is the Asia program coordinator of the Committee to Protect Journalists.
As you know, the committee provides time for each witness to make a short opening statement. Then we move into the first, second, and third rounds of questioning.
We certainly welcome you here today, Mr. Dietz. Please begin. We look forward to your comments. We thank you for coming here today on this very important topic.