Mahinda for stronger Indo-Lanka ties

Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapakse in an interview with The Hindu way back in 1999 accurately predicted his candidacy in the current Presidential race.

On that occasion six years ago Rajapakse, then Minister of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources in the PA Government, also predicted a golden era in Indo- Lanka relations in the event of his election to the high office of President. The interview was given on October 5, 1999 in Delhi two months before the Presidential election where President Kumaratunga was seeking a second term.

Asked by the interviewer if he was a candidate in the impending race Rajapakse said although he would be the happiest man to hold the top job they had already a leader who had improved things in the country and he was a strong advocate for a second term for her.

"I will contest for the Presidentship next time and, if elected, Indo-Lanka relations would witness a golden era," Rajapakse said.

He was in New Delhi to participate in an international workshop on Human Rights.

To another question dealing with the LTTE Rajapakse said steps have been initiated by the Government to win over the hearts of the militants. He said not all Tamils but only a handful of militants were creating problems adding that these elements were being supported by forces out to destabilise India. He said that such forces were trying to create a base in India through the LTTE.

"We will not allow them to succeed in this nefarious design," he said.

Rajapakse said he hoped ties between the two nations would improve further and referred to India's support to help the economy of her neighbour by importing goods and farm produce.

In the exclusive interview, Rajapakse said he was fully supportive of India taking the lead in providing the much needed support to the smaller nations of the region vis-a-vis the "imposing attitude" of the developed countries exercising hegemony by virtue of their economic, scientific and military might.