US congressman praises Sri Lanka's progress after the dawn of peace

The Sri Lankan Embassy in Washington in a press release has stated that Joe Wilson, Republican Party Congressman from South Carolina, addressing the US Congress has praised Sri Lanka on its progress after the dawn of peace in the country after defeating terrorism.


He has said that he looked forward to a new era of Sri Lankan-American relations built on economic, strategic, and political cooperation between the two countries.

"Mr. Speaker, having just ended a decades-long conflict in which the government finally defeated terrorist forces within its borders, the Republic of Sri Lanka recently celebrated its second New Year at complete peace," he has said.

"In his New Year address, President Mahinda Rajapaksa stated celebrating the New Year is a 'time when all enjoy the freedom achieved in our Motherland. Therefore, this New Year will help bring a renewal in spirit and new expectations to the people about future progress."

"I would like to wish a happy new year to the 250,000 Sri Lankan-Americans," Wilson had continued, "along with the 21 million citizens of Sri Lanka, a dynamic nation of South Asia."

Rep. Wilson had called for a "new-era" of relations between Sri Lanka and the United States.

"During this time of national reconciliation, I look forward to a new era of Sri Lankan-American relations built on economic, strategic, and political cooperation between our two democratic societies."