President Mahinda Rajapaksa emphasized his commitment to a political solution, and said this required the disarming of the terrorists, when he briefed the Leader of the Opposition Mr. Ranil Wickremesinghe on the current situation vis-a-vis the operations to defeat terrorism.

He invited the Leader of the Opposition to extend his cooperation in this endeavour to defeat terrorism and restore democratic freedoms to the people of the North, too, said a Media Release from the Presidential Secretariat.

The Media Release said, President Mahinda Rajapaksa met the Leader of the Opposition, Ranil Wickremesinghe on Friday (24th October) at Temple Trees and discussed current issues in the country, including the ongoing humanitarian operation being conducted by the security forces in the Wanni to disarm the LTTE and restore democracy, peace and stability.

The President apprised Mr. Wickremesinghe on the humanitarian assistance being provided by the Government to the civilians, who have been temporarily displaced in the Wanni and emphasized that adequate stocks of food and essential items have already been despatched to the uncleared areas, for distribution to the affected people by the Government Agents in Kilinochchi and Mullaitivu. The Government would continue to supply these areas on a regular basis, to ensure that there will be no shortage of food and essential provisions and services to the people.

President Rajapaksa also briefed the Opposition Leader on the close engagement with India in dealing with the situation in the Wanni, in particular the telephone discussion he had with Indian Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh, the previous Saturday (18th October).The President informed Mr. Wickremesinghe that he had briefed the Indian leader on the Sri Lankan Government's efforts to defeat terrorism and restore democracy in the North, and ensure peace and stability in the region.

President Rajapaksa reiterated that there was no ethnic conflict in the country, and that the present operations of the security forces were designed to disarm the LTTE, which is posing a challenge to democracy. This would enable the empowerment of the people in the process of evolving a viable and durable political solution. He emphasized his commitment to a political solution, and that this required the disarming of the terrorists. The President invited the Leader of the Opposition to extend his cooperation in this endeavour to defeat terrorism and restore democratic freedoms to the people of the North, too.