[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 105 (Monday, July 29, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1455-E1456]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         HONORING SRI LANKA PRIME MINISTER RANIL WICKREMESINGHE

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. FRANK PALLONE, JR.

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, July 26, 2002

  Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to 
express my warm regards towards the Honorable Ranil Wickremesinghe, 
Prime Minister of Sri Lanka. His visit this week to the United States, 
the first visit by a Sri Lankan leader since a civil war broke out 19 
years ago, confirmed that Sri Lanka is a valued friend and partner of 
the United States and an important ally in the campaign against 
international terrorism. The United States and Sri Lanka have enjoyed a 
strong friendship based on common values such as democracy and 
religious freedom.
  For the past 19 years, there has been civil strife between the 
Government of Sri Lanka and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) 
that has unfortunately cost an estimated 65,000 lives and displaced an 
estimated 1,000,000 lives. In a breakthrough brokered by Norway, the 
Government of Sri Lanka and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam 
(LTTE), an agreement on a cease-fire was signed by both parties and 
went into effect February 23, 2002.
  These peace talks are set to begin in August in Thailand and at this 
time, I would like to commend the Prime Minister of Sri Lanka for his 
great effort to steer his country towards peace talks and for working 
on resolving the current conflict at the negotiating table with LTTE 
leader, Velupillai Prabhakaran. I applaud the Prime Minister's belief 
that a comprehensive and lasting peace solution is a priority and I 
support his denunciation of all political violence and acts of 
terrorism in Sri Lanka.
  During talks this week between President Bush and Prime Minister 
Wickremesinghe, the Prime Minister emphasized that consistent U.S. 
diplomacy and international assistance will be critical in ensuring 
peace in Sri Lanka. In addition, the Prime Minister requested expansion 
of a military training program and improved economic ties between the 
U.S. and Sri Lanka.

[[Page E1456]]

  As the founder and co-chair of the Congressional Caucus on Sri Lanka 
and Sri Lankan Americans, I would like to express my willingness for 
the U.S. to play a constructive role in supporting the peace process. 
In addition, I plan to encourage the Bush administration to take the 
steps necessary to support Sri Lanka during the peace process and to 
take the steps necessary to strengthen ties between the U.S. and Sri 
Lanka.
  Mr. Speaker, I am encouraged by the leadership and dedication to 
peace so clearly exemplified by Prime Minister Wickremesinghe. I am 
pleased that his visit to the U.S. was a success and it is now time for 
the U.S. to proceed and actively support peace and reparation in Sri 
Lanka.

                          ____________________