No compromise on security: Rajapaksa

"When we think of stopping alcohol we cannot think of votes. When we want to crush the underworld, we cannot think of votes," Rajapaksa said indicating security could not be compromised for votes.

"We must have a society that is disciplined and respect our motherland. By hoping only for elections we cannot develop our country," the President said while addressing a election meeting in the Badula in the Central Uva province yesterday.

"When we came into power, a part of this country had already been given away by a written document. Our armed forces could not even think of going there. Our MPs had to pay taxes (to LTTE) when entering Jaffna. There were two governments on either side.
We invited them (LTTE) to come to peace. They did not accept those," he said.

Asserting  economic development could be expedited when peace and harmony prevailed  in the country, Rajapaksa said he would need the support of all political leaders and officials to fulfill this mission.

"We have to develop a younger generation which will be concerned about the society, with a feeling for the country, respecting its virtues and values," he said.

Rajapaksa accused the LTTE of killing "not only our people but also Tamils and Muslims. They killed political leaders and a President and ministers. They tried to kill even Chandrika Kumaratunga when she was President, and she lost an eye."

"We wanted to stop all those and we never dragged our feet. Some of those who helped us to come to power also laughed at us. Some even tripped our feet. But we took a decision and today we enjoy the benefits of what we did.

"They killed our mothers, fathers and children. They attacked our revered places like the Dalada Temple and Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi.. But we bore all those with patience", the Daily Mirror quoted the President.

"The people of this country have now got the opportunity to tell the whole world about what we did," Rajapaksa said, referring to the local polls on August 8 in the Jaffna and Vavuniya region.