Govt committed to achieve lasting peace - President

COLOMBO: I do not wish at all to wage war against the people of the country. My determination is to defeat terrorism. If the LTTE lays down arms at any moment I am ready to work with them to achieve peace, the President asserted.

The President made those observations at a discussion, he had with the leadrs of all religions, held at Temple Trees yesterday. The President also stressed that he is not prepared to surrender the security of the country and the nation to any terrorist outfit.

Ven. Dr. Bellanwila Wimalarathana Nayaka Thera, Ven. Maduluwawe Sobhitha Thera, Dr. Ven. Brahkmanawatte Seewali Thera, Secretary to the President Lalith Weeratunga, Rev. Bishop Herald Perera, Rev. Bishop Rayappu Joseph, Moulavi Alhaj Niyas Mohamed, Moulavi Shahul Hammed Adambawa, Kyoichi Sugino of the World Religious Organisation, Chairperson PAFERAL Kingsley Rodrigo and several others participated at the discussion.