July 30, Colombo: The resettlement of the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in the North will be completed in the next few months and the elections for the Northern Provincial Council will be held before September 2013, Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa said today.

At a discussion held with heads of news divisions and chief editors of electronic and print media institutions held in the Temple Trees this morning the President affirmed that the government's aim is to hold a free and fair election that reflects the true preference of the people in the North in order to empower democracy.

In response to a question on holding provincial council elections on a staggered basis, the President said results of the elections will highlight the true will of the voters.

He noted that some opposition elements are dreaming about an Arab type revolution in Sri Lanka although the government holds elections. He stressed that he will leave no room to sabotage the government’s democratic process.

"All parties should support to strengthen parliamentary democracy. Their responsibility is to collectively find solutions for the national problems," the President told the journalists.

The President reiterated the need for the political parties to nominate representatives to the parliamentary select committee on the national problem.

Addressing the issue of rising crimes against children, the President said the government will not protect any person who is connected with child abuses and other crimes and will strictly deal with the criminals responsible for heinous crimes.

President Rajapaksa also noted that laws alone will not deter child abuses and sexual harassments to women and each individual in the society should also have an understanding. He called for the religious leaders and civil society leaders to support preventing crimes.

He also promised to resolve the problems of striking university teachers and address the issues of power generation.

Ministers Basil Rajapakse, Prof. G.L. Peiris, S. B. Dissanayake and Keheliya Rambukwella, Secretary of Finance and Planning Ministry Dr. P. B. Jayasundera, Secretary of media Ministry Charitha Herath and top government officials also participated in the discussions.

(Photos by Sudath Silva)