Lankan military among the best in the world-President

(May 19, Colombo, Sri Lanka Guardian) President Mahinda Rajapakse, in a major victory speech on Tuesday, said the defeat of the LTTE has shown that the Sri Lankan armed forces is among the best in the world.

Opening a new session of parliament, two days after the government declared an end to the war, the President said this was a historic day and an end to terrorism. He said among the bigger challenges is to convince the Tamil Diaspora not to help the Tigers.

Meanwhile, he urged the Tamil Diaspora to return to Sri Lanka and help rebuild a nation that has been destroyed by terrorism.

Speaking in Parliament, he said accelerated development will take place along with roads, water and electricity in the liberated areas. He invited all businessmen and foreign investors to invest in these areas. The government on Monday declared that the 25-year war had ended after the defeat of the LTTE.

Meanwhile, Wednesday has been declared a national holiday to commemorate the end of the Sri Lankan war, President Mahinda Rajapaksa declared.

-Sri Lanka Guardian