17.9.2008
Colombo News Desk

President Mahinda Rajapaksa stresses that there will be no negotiations or any form of ceasefire until the LTTE surrender their arms.

He said the government is chasing not only after Prabhakaran but also Pottu Amman to capture them alive. The President said once the Security Forces capture Prabhakarn he would be punished under the law, which prevails in this country.

He said if India requests to prosecute him for the killing of former Indian Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, the government can consider the matter favourably.

President Rajapakse stated these comments when he addressed the Foreign Correspondents' Association at Temple Trees yesterday.

Speaking further the President expressed confidence that international financial institutions like the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank will assist the government to develop the North as they are doing in the East.

When asked about the falling of Kilinochchi, the President said capturing Kilinochchi is definite. He also assured the government’s commitment to restore democracy in the North once the region is liberated from the LTTE.