Sri Lanka President vows to eradicate LTTE ideology

Colombo, June 8: President Maithripala Sirisena has vowed to "eradicate the LTTE ideology" which is still present locally and globally to ensure long lasting peace in Sri Lanka.

"I want to eradicate the LTTE ideology completely both locally and internationally, Sirisena told last night addressing a gathering in the suburbs of Colombo's Dehiwela. He said since being elected he had been able to cultivate friendships with all world leaders. He would rely on their assistance to achieve reconciliation."

I will ensure a country where all communities live together in peaceful co-existence, harmony.

This will be a society where everyone is treated equally, he said. We ended the war and silenced the guns, but for long lasting peace we have not been able to eradicate the LTTE ideology (of a separate state).

Sirisena took power in January 2015 and assured to take serious steps to win over the Tamil community who had preferred him over Mahinda Rajapaksa.

Tamils while noting the progress stay unhappy with the slowness of the process. Sirisena said what is paramount to the country was the peace between the majority Sinhalese and the Tamil and Muslim minorities.

Government forces killed the Tamil Tiger rebel leader Velupillai Prabhakaran on May 18, 2009 after a brutal military crackdown, and declared an end to the 37-year conflict which claimed at least 100,000 lives.

PTI