There was no targeted killing of civilians during the last phase of the humanitarian operation as some alleges. The Government of Sri Lanka was engaged in an operation aimed at liberating our own people from LTTE terrorists held as human shields. Thus, it was called the ‘Humanitarian Operation,’’ President Mahinda Rajapaksa said.

"Our forces were well trained and provided with knowledge in Human Rights and international humanitarian law and always followed humanitarian norms,' President Rajapaksa said speaking to electronic and print media editors at the Temple Trees this morning.

To claim that the situation in Sri Lanka is a violation of international humanitarian norms is a total distortion of the actual ground situation and a completely wrong, the President said. It is unfortunate to see the panel of advisors appointed by the UN Secretary General ignored the facts that TNA MP Kanagaratnam revealed that LTTE killed 600 civilians who tried to escape, President added.

Asked about India's India’s stand on Darusman report President said India has always acted with co-operation with Sri Lanka. "Our relations have been good at all times," President said.

President further said that his government was not taking the report lightly.

“We will respond to the Secretary General in an appropriate manner”, President said.

President Rajapaksa, when asked to comment on not signing the Rome Statute of the International criminal Court, said that simply because a country was no signatory to that statute, it was not safe. He stressed that he did not want to hide behind technicalities or legal points in defeating attempts to press war crimes charges against Sri Lanka.

Another round of talks with Tamil political parties would be held shortly and the discussions would centre on a second chamber or an upper house President Rajapaksa said. He said the talks were not confined to the Tamil National Alliance and they were open for other Tamil political parties as well. "It is wrong to call them govt.-TNA talks," he said.

The President, in answer to a question whether the Northern Province would be given a Provincial Council, said first of all the electoral registers had to be updated. No census had been taken since 1981, he pointed out.

Commenting on the proposed Pension Scheme for formal and non-formal sector, President Rajapaksa pointed out that the government was firm on the establishment of the pension scheme without touching the EPF.

The employees who are not entitled for pensions after retirement right now needs this. Therefore, the proposed pension scheme would be set up as early as possible after consulting all stake holders such as trade unions and employers through the Tripartite Committee of the Ministry of Labour.