Rajapaksa asks Tamils to sort differences through dialogue

Rajapaksa asked the Tamils to work with the government to settle their differences and not fall prey to machinations of a section of the diaspora which still supported the LTTE.

Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa on Thursday asked the Tamils to work with the government to settle their differences and not fall prey to machinations of a section of the diaspora which still supported the LTTE.

8220;I implore the separatist forces and local and international conspirators not to underestimate our motherland and the people of this nation,8221; he said on the 62nd anniversary of the Independence Day.

In an apparent reference to the international bodies and LTTE8217;s splinter groups overseas,Rajapaksa asked the Tamil speaking and other communities to not allow outside interference and seek a solution through political means.

8220;I am certain that the people in the North and East could stand on their own feet through a solution brought by devolving powers to the villages and empowering them in the entire country,8221; he said during the celebrations in Kandy.

8220;Lets solve our problems ourselves through discussions,8221; Rajapaksa said in Tamil language.

8220;Everyone will receive all facilities in equal manner. That is called equality and equal rights,8221; he said.

As he takes up his second term as President in a largely polarised country,he said after 8220;uniting the territory,8221; his priority was 8220;uniting hearts of all sections of our people8221;.

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8220;I willingly take over the noble task of creating peace among our communities,8221; he said.

Rajapaksa,who won a landslide victory in the recently concluded presidential elections but was given a cold shoulder by the Tamils,said 8220;narrow divisions8221; of race,religion,language and regions should not be entertained.

8220;Let us build this country for the sake of our future generations,8221; he said as he presided over the first post-LTTE independence day celebrations,and took salute of the armed forces.

Asserting that all Sri Lankans are children of one mother,he said: 8220;there is no racism,separatism or terrorism8230; We consider no one in our country as a minority person8221;.

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Rajapaksa also asked certain politicians not to mislead innocent people.

Earlier speaking in Sinhala,Rajapaksa said he was proud to proclaim that he is in a position to raise the flag of Sri Lanka with dignity in the entire country,remembering the sacrifices of the soldiers in the war against the LTTE.

8220;My people were at a standstill for 30 years because of terrorists. Now this era is over. We will create a country where people can live at ease,8221; he said.

8220;We need to remove the bureaucratic hurdles on the path to economic development as we removed road barriers,8221; he added.