http://www.defence.lk/new.asp?fname=20110607_02

"I will give what people in North want, not what LTTE remnants want" - President

www.defence.lk">President Mahinda Rajapaksa said that he would not give in to demands of the LTTE that come from certain Northern political elements, but would give what the people in the North want after discussing power devolution with the North and South political leadership.
A political solution which meets the needs of the people in the North and signifies a common Sri Lankan identity will be granted to them without being driven by foreign influences, President Rajapaksa said yesterday after commissioning of the Kokavil Multi-functional Transmission Centre in Kokavil, Mullaitivu.
President Rajapaksa also said finding a political solution is a matter within our reach and discussions are on to finalize a political solution.
He also said that a political solution cannot be given forcibly and it should emerge from the hearts of the people both in the North and South.
President Rajapaksa also said that the solution should be a result of discussions between political leaders in the North and the South and discussions are in progress to this effect.
Some groups are demanding things similar to those made by terrorists indirectly, the President said.
He added that those demands won't be granted on whatever grounds and stated that a political solution will be granted that meets the needs of the people in the North. The President also said with the commissioning of the Kokavil tower, the right to information of the people in North that was prevented by the terrorists, is guaranteed again.
He added that destruction of the Kokavil Tower, interrupted the understanding between the people in North and South.
"Thereafter the terrorists imparted a distorted picture about the people in South in the minds of the youth in the North. There was no means to change that distorted picture. "The people of the North did not have the right to information and speech," he said. He said that last year a Cabinet meeting was held in Kilinochchi.
"It was historic as it was the first Cabinet meeting held in Kilinochchi in Sri Lankan history." He stated that the Cabinet meeting was held there to emphasise that all parts of the country had to be developed equally.
"When we come back we see our attempts are fruitful," President Rajapaksa said. "Infrastructure is being developed and the citizens here should know what happens in the country to strengthen the bonds between the communities.
President Rajapaksa also said that the commissioning of the Kokavil tower contributes immensely to strengthen the bond between people of the North and South.