Internal problems of a country can be resolved through the commitment and dedication of its people and Sri Lanka is a good example in this regard, stated President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

Problems can only be resolved through the will of the people instead of external interventions, he further stated.

The President made these statements while addressing the Ukrainian National Defence Academy yesterday (July 1) during his official visit to Ukraine.

President Rajapaksa further said that the experience of Sri Lanka in defeating terrorism was an example to other countries faced with challenges posed by terrorism. He attributed the reasons for the victory to the great humanism displayed by the country's security forces.

The President added that he was prepared to share the experience of his victorious forces in defeating terrorism with the security forces of other nations that are battling terrorism. He stressed that this sharing of experience will assist Governments and their security forces who seek to make the world a safer place by rooting out terrorism. President Rajapaksa also expressed his gratitude to the Ukrainian Government for the assistance extended to his country's fight against terrorism.

The Policy Research & Information Unit
Tthe Presidential Secretariat of Sri Lanka

02 July 2010