[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 23 (Tuesday, February 6, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E143-E144]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            THE 70TH ANNIVERSARY OF SRI LANKA'S INDEPENDENCE

                                 ______
                                 

                      HON. RODNEY P. FRELINGHUYSEN

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 6, 2018

  Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. Mr. Speaker, I include in the Record the following 
Proclamation:
  Whereas, Sri Lanka is a free, independent, and sovereign nation--a 
unique country with a rich history, dating back to its flourishing 
civilization of the 2nd Century B.C.;
  Whereas, Sri Lanka is celebrating the 70th Anniversary of its 
independence;
  Whereas, Sri Lanka has developed its economy based on its 
agriculture, cultivation of semi-precious stones, and manufacturing 
industries. And although Sri Lanka experienced invasions and rule by 
the Portuguese, Dutch, and British, Sri Lanka regained independence 
through a peaceful and constitutional process in 1948;
  Whereas, after 70 years of independence, Sri Lanka has emerged as a 
key South Asian country committed to democracy, free market economics, 
and sound development policy;
  Whereas, this year also marks the 70th Anniversary of the 
establishment of diplomatic relations between free Sri Lanka and the 
United States of America and bi-lateral relations between the U.S. and 
Sri Lanka have always been strong;
  Whereas, trade and investment between the U.S. and Sri Lanka continue 
to grow. Recent U.S. goods exports were $372 million. U.S. exports 
consisted primarily of industrial machinery, medical instruments, 
aircraft parts, lentils, paper, specialized fabrics and textiles for 
use in the garment industry, fruits, and pharmaceuticals. Sri Lanka is 
currently the

[[Page E144]]

115th largest export market for U.S. goods. Corresponding U.S. imports 
from Sri Lanka were $2.88 billion;
  Whereas, as Sri Lanka celebrates seven decades of freedom, this is a 
wonderful opportunity for us to pay tribute to all of her national 
heroes and freedom fighters who fought for independence and extend 
congratulations to the approximately 100,000 Sri Lankans in the U.S., 
whose communities have made economic and social impacts throughout 
various communities across America;
  Whereas, Sri Lanka's rich history of over 2,500 years, and its 
tremendous progress as a nation in 70 years alone, proves Sri Lanka's 
tremendous potential for the rest of the 21st Century and the future 
beyond; now be it Resolved, That in commemoration of Sri Lanka's 70th 
year of independence, members of the United States House of 
Representatives congratulate the government of President Maithripala 
Sirisena and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and look forward to 
working with the government of Sri Lanka, Sri Lankan Americans, and the 
Sri Lankan community in the United States for years to come.

                          ____________________