Source: Ministry of Defence, Public Security, Law & Order - Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka.
Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa says he has "fought India's war" too by militarily eliminating the LTTE, which had assassinated former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi 18 years ago.
In an interview to Indian newsmagazine "The Week" published in its latest issue, President Rajapaksa says: "I think my war is part of the South Asian campaign against terrorism. In fact, by eliminating the LTTE militarily, I have fought India's war."
The President commended Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, ruling Congress Party President Sonia Gandhi and the Indian people for the support extended to Sri Lanka during the war.
"Nothing is more important for me than what India thinks," he declared.
He is planning to visit India next month to personally thank Indian leaders for their support and to discuss plans for relief, rehabilitation and reconstruction in the civil war-ravaged northern and eastern provinces.
"My victory coincided with Sonia Gandhi's electoral victory. I have written to her congratulating her on winning the elections. India's moral support during the war was most important," President Rajapaksa said.
He explained that the India-Sri Lanka Agreement of July 1987 led to the 13th amendment to the Sri Lankan Constitution. In that way, the homegrown approach covers the position of India, too. This time, a political solution will be devised after taking every shade of Sri Lankan opinion into consideration, he added.
"Since peace is in the interest of Sri Lanka, we have to sit down and decide on its content ourselves," the president said.
He invited Indian industrialists to invest in, and contribute to, the development of Sri Lanka, especially since the security atmosphere will see a radical transformation from now on.
Asked if he wants to build bridges with politicians in Tamil Nadu, he pointed out that he has been congratulated by many Tamil Nadu politicians after the war.
Then he quipped: "Look at the fate of LTTE supporters in Tamil Nadu in the elections. All those who supported the Tigers have been routed. The people of Tamil Nadu have given these terror supporters a fitting reply." He was referring to the humiliating defeat of the likes of Vaiko and Dr Ramadas in the 15th parliamentary election.
The president said the next responsibility of the troops will be to contribute to the relief and rehabilitation of the displaced Tamil people in the north and northeast. Even during the war, they were building roads and bridges in the north, he added.
He also criticised certain NGOs and other aid agencies, and said: These are the elite of Tamil society who had no clue about the hardship faced by the people in the LTTE-held northern Sri Lanka."
Commenting on the allegations of human rights abuse by Lankan soldiers, President Rajapaksa said he thinks that the human rights lobby has got its timing wrong. "Where were they when the LTTE terrorised Sri Lankans all these years?" he asked.
