[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 48 (Monday, April 27, 1998)]
[Senate]
[Page S3660]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE INDEPENDENCE OF SRI LANKA

 Mr. BROWNBACK. Mr. President, I rise today to commemorate 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 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 acknowledge this occasion 
by expressing best wishes to the Government and people of Sri Lanka as 
they celebrate 50 years of independence. I know that we all look 
forward to continued cooperation and friendship with the Government and 
people of Sri Lanka in the years ahead.

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