LTTE must give up arms and join the political mainstream

President Mahinda Rajapakse called upon the LTTE to give up arms and join him to strengthen democracy and peace in the country, during his address in the parliament presenting the budget. He stressed the importance of the consensus of all parties to resolve the ethnic crisis by negotiations.

Government is committed to find a political solution by negotiating with an open mind and concerned that the LTTE has not given a positive response. He said a few days after he assumed office the LTTE started the violence.   He said that he is mindful of the reasonable grievances of the Tamils and opposition has also come to an agreement to address the grievances and this is to the fulfillment of the public expectation. The LTTE must join the political main stream to build up a new Sri Lanka with the confidence of all communities. We welcome the endeavors of the international community in this regard, he said.