Sri Lankan President says government wanted to win at least half of the Tamil Diaspora members

Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa today told editors of media institutions in the country that the government wanted to win over at least half of the Tamil Diaspora that has been critical of the government.

The local media reported today that the President had made this comment in response to question posed to him on the government's plan to counter the allegations leveled against him by the Tamil Diaspora.

He has said that while every member of the Diaspora would not support the government, it would be sufficient if at least half of them understood and supported the government.

President Rajapaksa has said that he also planned to get some of Diaspora members to visit the country and understand the progress that has been made.