Addressing the island for Sri Lanka's celebration of Independence Day from Trincomalee, Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa, rejected the possibility of Tamil autonomy, once again.
Despite mounting international pressure to ensure a political solution to the conflict is found that respects the rights of Tamils in the North-East centred around mere devolution of powers, Rajapaksa dismissed any notion of Tamil autonomy or devolution.
"It is not practical for this country to have different administrations based on ethnicity. The solution is to live together in this country with equal rights for all communities."
Rajapaksa even went on to remind the UN of Sri Lanka's right to sovereignty, ironically, reciting parts of the UN charter that upheld territorial integrity or political independence of a state:
"All members shall refrain in their international relations from the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state, or any other manner inconsistent with the Purposes of the United Nations"
After refusing a request by UN officials to send special investigative UN rapporteurs to investigate the progress of redevelopment and reconciliation in Sri Lanka, Rajapaksa extended a warm welcome to visit the island.
"Do not believe something just because it is said, because you have read reports, critics have said it or the media has published it. We tell the people of the world- Come! Come over and see for yourselves!"
Speaking in Tamil, he added:
"Religious differences, just as racial differences lead to destruction of the country. Anyone who causes such division supports the division of the country. We will not leave room for that."
"My friends in the Sinhala, Tamil and Muslim communities all of you have a very high culture. I would urge you to trust your neighbour and not leave the country as done by the Diaspora that has left the country and live aboard."
See full speech here.
