President Mahinda Rajapaksa appreciated the clarification made by the US State Department yesterday which exonerated the Security Forces from an accusation of using rape as a weapon during the recent conflict.

In a letter addressed to the Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama by Melanne Verveer, Ambassador- at- Large for Global Women's Issues at the State Department said, "in the most recent phase of the conflict, from 2006 to 2009 ... we have not received reports that rape and sexual abuse were used as tools of war, as they clearly have in other conflict area around the world."

Addressing a massive gathering at the United People’s Freedom Alliance (UPFA) Southern PC election rally in Galle yesterday the President noted that errors could be made by anybody.

The President’s observation was with regard to the swift action taken by the US to correct the statement of one of their own officials.

However, the President said that it was unfortunate to note that a series of such accusations against the military since they liberated the country from terrorism were local origin.

He said that certain media, NGOs and politicians with vested interests were behind these allegations.