President Mahinda Rajapaksa yesterday stressed that Sri Lanka has the courage to face challenges posed by external forces.

Sri Lanka does not require an imported solution for the country’s internal issues, he said, stressing the country is capable of solving its issues through peaceful dialogue with all parties concerned.

It was time for Sri Lankans to shed petty differences and join hands for the sake of the country. He was of the view that any problems in the country can be solved through peaceful negotiations, he said.

The county is now at a stage where its problems can be solved by the people itself through negotiation, without external assistance, and, “Sri Lanka does not need any imported solution for the country’s issues. The people should join hands to meet the challenges of the external forces,” he said.

The President was speaking at a ceremony at Temple Trees to present land deeds to over 2,000 beneficiaries under the one million housing project of the Janasevana programme, implemented by the Ministry of Construction, Engineering Services, Housing and Common Amenities

“In order to provide shelter for homeless, the government launched the ‘Janasevana’ housing programme, which aims to construct one million houses within six years. The Construction, Engineering Services, Housing and Common Amenities Ministry was assigned this task, which is in full swing now” the President added.