President tells international community at UN:

Global support vital for transforming LTTE

Reiterates commitment for negotiations

US: President Mahinda Rajapaksa yesterday called on the international community to extend its fullest support to the Government for the democratic transformation of the LTTE.

"It is our hope that the LTTE will transform itself from a terrorist outfit to one that is committed to dialogue and democracy. My Government stands ready to warmly respond to any display of goodwill and a move towards a non-violent approach," President Rajapaksa told the 61st General Assembly Sessions in New York.

Making his maiden address in the UN as Sri Lanka's Head of State, the President reaffirmed that the Government remained fully committed to talking with the LTTE either directly or through the facilitator.

He described in detail the LTTE's tyranny of terror, noting that

"at an age when the world seeks dialogue and peace, the LTTE insists on violence, including suicide bombings, massacres, indiscriminate armed assaults, and the forcible conscription of young children for war".

"They violate democratic institutions and human rights with impunity and subvert the fundamental freedoms of the people. Political leaders,

gentle dissenters, human rights activists and innocent civilians including children have been eliminated - irrespective of ethnic origin and religious background," the President said. Assurances given to the UN Secretary-General's Special Representative on 'Children and Armed Conflict', on the conscription of children for armed combat, have been blatantly violated, he added.

He recalled that soon after his election, despite the violence unleashed by the LTTE, he expressed the conviction that the causes of the conflict should be addressed through a fresh perspective.

"I examined this issue with an open mind, and explored all options available with a view to evolving a national consensus to achieve an honourable peace in an undivided country.

"A consultative process is currently in train to prepare constitutional proposals to address the concerns of the minority. I have invited the LTTE to participate in the process of seeking a solution to the conflict through dialogue."

The President explained that it was his firm conviction that the restoration of democracy, the creation of space for dissent, and the promotion of human rights in the conflict affected areas are the essential elements of a successful and sustainable process of Peace.

"Let us make Peace the goal of the present decade. Let us all unite for Peace," he told the delegates.

"My Government will establish an international panel to observe investigations into cases of unexplained killings and disappearances in Sri Lanka. My Government condemns these acts unreservedly," he said.

He also elaborated on the country's economic gains, observing that a 8.1% growth rate has been recorded for the first time in 28 years.

"We hope that the increased economic opportunities in the country will further encourage the LTTE to opt for a negotiated peace."

President Rajapaksa also focused on his Government's pro-poor development strategy with emphasis on regionally balanced growth.

"Our objective is to achieve overall development, while raising the income levels of the poor through the empowerment of communities at grassroots level."

Commenting on UN reforms, he said the UN members must continue to have faith in our collective capacity for reforming the United Nations, so that it is made more effective and more relevant to the needs, not only of the 21st century but also of its members.