No comprise on security: Rajapaksa

More then two months after his forces defeated the LTTE, Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa has said that his government could not go soft on terror to garner votes for the upcoming local polls.

"When we think of stopping alcohol we cannot think of votes. When we want to crush the underworld, we cannot think of votes," Mr. Rajapaksa said indicating security could not be compromised for votes.

"We must have a society that is disciplined and respect our motherland. By hoping only for elections we cannot develop our country," the President said while addressing a election meeting in the Badula in the Central Uva province on Friday.

"When we came into power, a part of this country had already been given away by a written document. Our armed forces could not even think of going there. Our MPs had to pay taxes (to LTTE) when entering Jaffna. There were two governments on either side. We invited them (LTTE) to come to peace. They did not accept those," he said.

Asserting economic development could be expedited when peace and harmony prevailed in the country, Mr. Rajapaksa said he would need the support of all political leaders and officials to fulfill this mission.

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