JKRSOTHY: Only the will of people resolve conflicts, not external intervention, Sri Lanka President says

Only the will and dedication of the people will resolve the internal conflicts in a country and foreign military intervention to an internal conflict is not a solution, Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa said yesterday.

Addressing the Ukrainian National Defence Academy yesterday (July 1) during his official visit to Ukraine, President Rajapaksa said Sri Lanka's experience in defeating terrorism is a good example to other countries faced with challenges posed by terrorism.

The President attributed the success in Sri Lanka to its disciplined security forces. Commending his troops, the President said Sri Lanka's armed forces have fought the dreaded terrorists with complete adherence to the Human Rights Declaration and keeping in mind the military discipline and humanitarian needs of the civilians besieged by the terrorists.
"It is not an easy task for an ordinary army," the President noted.
It is essential to have the support of the people to defeat terrorism, the President stressed.
"Foreign military intervention to an internal conflict is not a solution. As the people do not expect the intervention of foreign forces to solve a problem, they will not receive the support of the people. The world can learn this from the Sri Lankan experience," President Rajapaksa pointed out.
The President, First Lady Shiranthi Rajapaksa, and their son sub Lieutenant Yoshitha Rajapaksa along with the Defence Minister of Ukraine Myhkailo Yezhel visited the Defense Museum.
The President, First Lady and the Sri Lankan delegation are in Ukraine on a five-day official visit. The President is scheduled to return to the country on July 3rd.