Despite an ever-increasing call for an international, independent investigation into the allegations of war crimes and crimes against humanity, Rajapaksa asserted that the world should commend Sri Lanka on its 'rehabilitation programme' for alleged LTTE cadres and the release of 1800 Tamil men and women from detention.
All the men and women said to be released on Friday had been detained as suspected LTTE cadres, and ordered to under go a 'rehabilitation' programme.
Speaking at Temple Trees, Rajapaksa claimed that these men and women were the last of over 12,000 alleged LTTE cadres to be released.
However, human rights groups have highlighted that several hundreds of Tamil men and women continue to be held, over two years after the end of the war, under the PTA (prevention of Terrorism Act).
Instructing the Tamils not to look back at the past, Rajapaksa said,
"As you rejoin society today after two years of vocational training, you go out as free men and women."
"But there will be anti-social elements who will prey on you.
"But I hope you will work for peace and ethnic harmony in this nation of ours. We must not dwell on the bitter past, but look to a prosperous future."
