[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 5 (Tuesday, February 3, 1998)]
[Senate]
[Page S326]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




SENATE RESOLUTION 172--RELATIVE TO THE DEMOCRATIC SOCIALIST REPUBLIC OF 
                               SRI LANKA

  Mr. BROWNBACK (for Mr. Robb) submitted the following resolution; 
which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations:

                               S.Res. 172

         
       Whereas February 4, 1998, is the occasion of the 50th 
     anniversary of the independence of the Democratic Socialist 
     Republic of Sri Lanka from Britain;
       Whereas the present constitution of the Democratic 
     Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka has been in existence since 
     August 16, 1978, and guarantees universal suffrage; and
       Whereas the people of the Democratic Socialist Republic of 
     Sri Lanka and the United States share many values, including 
     a common belief in democratic principles, a commitment to 
     international cooperation, and promotion of enhanced trade 
     and cultural ties: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) congratulates President Chandrika Bandaranaike 
     Kumaratunga and the people of the Democratic Socialist 
     Republic of Sri Lanka on the celebration of 50 years of 
     independence;
       (2) expresses best wishes to the Government and people of 
     the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka as they 
     celebrate their national day of independence on February 4, 
     1998; and
       (3) looks forward to continued cooperation and friendship 
     with the Government and people of the Democratic Socialist 
     Republic of Sri Lanka in the years ahead.

     SEC. 2. TRANSMITTAL OF RESOLUTION.

       The Secretary of the Senate shall transmit an enrolled copy 
     of this resolution to the Government of the Democratic 
     Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka.

  Mr. BROWNBACK. Mr. President, I rise on behalf of Senate Resolution 
172, which commemorates the 50th Anniversary of independence of Sri 
Lanka. I believe it is appropriate that we so mark this occasion by 
offering our congratulations to her excellency, President Kumaratunga 
and the people of Sri Lanka.
  In the first five decades since Sri Lanka gained its independence 
from British colonial rule, Sri Lanka has held regular national 
elections as well as provincial and local government elections. The 
most recent parliamentary elections were held in August 1994, and the 
third presidential election was held in November 1994.
  Sri Lanka has prospered economically since 1977, when it introduced 
economic liberalization policies which shifted the economy away from 
state controls, subsidies and public sector involvement to a market-
oriented system in which private entrepreneurship flourishes. The U.S. 
is Sri Lanka's largest trading partner, accounting for 30% of the 
latter's exports, and over 90 U.S. companies have invested in Sri 
Lanka, with a heavy concentration in mining and textiles.
  U.S. official relations with Sri Lanka date back to 1850 when John 
Black, an American merchant residing in Colombo was appointed the first 
American commercial agent in GALLE. Fifty years later the agency moved 
to Colombo and became a consulate. It subsequently became an embassy in 
1948 after Sri Lanka became independent.
  The exchange of bilateral visits has played an important role in 
strengthening the cordial relations between our two nations. Then 
Secretary of State John Foster Dulles visited Sri Lanka soon after its 
independence, and since that time members of this body as well as our 
colleagues in the House have regularly visited this lovely country.
  Despite its prosperity and commitment to democratic principles, Sri 
Lanka has been plagued for many years by two domestic insurgencies, one 
mainly Tamil in the North, and the other mainly Sinhalese, in the 
South. The result has been the loss of many lives and heavy damage to 
property. The government has reiterated its commitment to addressing 
grievances articulated by these groups through dialog and the process 
of negotiation. Four rounds of unconditional talks with the Tamil Tiger 
separatists were held following the President's election in November 
1994, and a cease fire was subsequently reached. This however, was 
breached by the separatists after 3\1/2\ months when they resumed their 
terrorist activity.
  As a result of these terrorist actions at home, Sri Lanka has placed 
counter terrorism at the forefront of its foreign policy. Sri Lanka was 
the Vice Chair of the United Nations Ad hoc Committee on Terrorism and 
played an important role in the drafting of the Convention for the 
Suppression of Terrorist Bombing, being the first to sign the 
Convention at United Nations Headquarters on January 12, 1998.
  I am therefore, Mr. President, pleased to introduce this Senate 
Resolution. I want to commend the chairman of the Foreign Relations 
Committee, Mr. Helms and the ranking member, Mr. Biden for their 
support.
  I urge my colleagues to vote ``yea'' on this Senate Resolution.

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