February 4, 1970
Page 2400
TWENTY-SECOND ANNIVERSARY OF CEYLON'S INDEPENDENCE
Mr. MUSKIE. Mr. President, I wish to take note on the 22d anniversary of the independence of Ceylon. More than 2,000 years ago the Ceylonese had in their art, religion, and architecture produced works of the first magnitude for the record of human civilization. This rich cultural and religious consciousness is still central to the lives of Ceylonese today.
In the past 22 years, moreover, Ceylon's achievements in establishing its political institutions and furthering its economic growth deserve special commendation. Stable parliamentary rule, based upon universal adult suffrage, has existed for over a generation. Under the energetic leadership of Prime Minister Dudley Senanayake, Ceylon has also achieved noteworthy advances in its industrial and agricultural development.
On this day, therefore, I desire to wish for this historic and promising state a future of continued stability and accelerated economic progress.