Solution is in LTTE hands: Rajapakse

Tirumala (Andhra Pradesh) Jul 12: Sri Lanka government was ''ready for peace talks'' with the LTTE, if they laid-down their arms, Sri Lanka President Mahinda Rajapakse said on Saturday July 12.

Talking to newspersons here, following darshan of lord Balaji at Tirumala, the Sri Lanka President said his Government in an effort to maintain peace in the country, was ready for talks at any time with LTTE and the ''solution'' was in their hands, since, 25,000 innocent people, including children were killed in the ethnic violence in the country.

Mr Rajapakse said the ethnic problem was crippling the country for more than two decades and the government was taking necessary steps to stop the violence.

LTTE militants had also taken the lives of precious Indian leaders,he alleged.

UNI