Dec 01, Colombo: Sri Lanka President Mahinda Rajapaksa said that the Mumbai terrorist attack is an eye opener to everyone and expressed the need for international cooperation to stop terror attacks.

“It is an eye opener to everybody in the international community because it targeted foreigners especially Americans, British and Israelis. It is like 9/11 (attacks) in India - an experience that everyone must take seriously,” the Sri Lankan President told media during an unofficial visit to the Italian capital Rome where he was to meet Pope Benedict XVI on Monday.

President Rajapaksa also said the Italian government had helped Sri Lanka by arresting LTTE Tiger sympathizers this year but warned that the Tigers were still getting financial aid from Sri Lankans abroad.

"They have come to the West. There are refugees here. They collect money. There are front organizations, they are taking advantage of it, they are collecting money and sending it there,” he added.