Expressing concern over 1,00,000 innocent lives lost in the just concluded "cruel war" against LTTE, Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa said his latest challenge is to rehabilitate the displaced Tamil civilians.

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Rajapaksa currently on a State visit to Myanmar, his first one after the conclusion of the three decade war with the LTTE, said that his latest challenge was to rehabilitate the war torn region and bring normalcy to people's lives.

"The 30 year old cruel war against terrorism cost 1,00,000 lives," the State run Daily News quoted Rajapaksa as saying at Nay Pyi Taw, the new capital of Myanmar, yesterday.

Expressing satisfaction at being able to successfully conclude the humanitarian operation against terrorism (LTTE), the President said his visit to Myanmar was the first one after the victory.

The President said that he was able to create a free and independent society in which everybody could live together in equality and harmony in accordance with the teachings of Buddhism.

President Rajapaksa and the Sri Lankan delegation were received at the Nay Pay Taw airport by Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council of the Union of Myanmar, Senior General Than Shwe. He also thanked the Myanmar government for donating $50,000 for the welfare of the IDPs in the north. Rajapaksa thanked the government of Myanmar for its assistance in preventing drug trafficking and other crime in that part of Asia.

Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council of the Union of Myanmar Senior General Than Shwe explained to President Rajapaksa the political and social changes that has taken place in the country since independence.

President Rajapaksa and his delegation held bilateral talks with Prime Minister General Thein Sein and other officials at the latter's office. Both sides agreed to work together at international fora with mutual understanding and cooperation.

Meanwhile, the Head of State of Myanmar accepted an invitation extended to him by President Rajapaksa to visit Sri Lanka.  The two leaders also agreed to update the Air Services Agreement between the two countries which was signed in 1950. The two delegations also signed an MoU on tourism and promotion.

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