"I will not be subdued or frightened by the violent growls of the LTTE." - President

July 19, Colombo: Sri Lanka President today honored the security forces for their victory in capturing the entire East from LTTE and called for unity and fraternity among all races and religions to live together.

Addressing the nation at the Neganahira Navodaya (New Dawn in the East) ceremony held in Independence Square in Colombo, the President said that it is not possible to bring liberation to the Tamil people through guns, bombs and cyanide capsules and LTTE is destroying their own children and own culture.

"The LTTE should even now accept the reality that it is not possible to bring liberation to the Tamil people through guns, bombs and cyanide capsules. What they destroy is the future of Tamil children. They destroy the future of the children of our country. What they demolish is their own culture,” he said.

President Rajapaksa urged all the political parties to present their proposals with speed to the All Party Representative Conference to find a single political solution to the North East crisis and not to delay the process.

President expressed hope that international community would come to help the task of rebuilding the Eastern province. At the same time President asked the international community and even some politicians, not to obstruct the rebuilding efforts and betray the Sri Lankan State by raising false accusations.

“If there are shortcomings let us get together and criticize them. It is alright slighting Mahinda Rajapaksa. But do not betray the country,” he urged. President said that he would not be deterred by LTTE threats to fulfill his duties and obligations to the country. “I will not be subdued or frightened by the violent growls of the LTTE. I will not be shaken by their threats of assassination.”

President Rajapaksa has vowed to wrest control of the LTTE-controlled areas in the North. The Tigers have vowed to strike economic and military targets in the country through guerrilla warfare.

Full text of President’s speech