Rajapaksa for strengthening ties with neighbours

With just nine days to go for the presidential elections in Sri Lanka, incumbent President Mahinda Rajapaksa, who is seeking a third consecutive term in office, has said that it would his objective to strengthen ties with key neighbours such as India and China.

In a recent interview given to Thanti TV, President Rajapaksa described India as a relative of Sri Lanka and China as a friend of the island-nation.

Praising Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, President Rajapaksa said, "The Indian Prime Minister has opened up his foreign policy to enable our two countries to have stronger ties. We have spoken many times. I think we have very similar visions for our countries, which is what has made it possible for us to further strengthen our relations. I believe our relations will continue to grow in a number of areas. That is what enabled me to take the decision to release the (five) Indian fishermen, who were sentenced to death (for smuggling narcotics)."

When asked to clarify his government's position on the fishermen issue, President Rajapaksa said both Colombo and New Delhi were working on solutions keeping each other's interests in mind.

He also refused to accept the view that he and his government were looking for ways to prevent the existence of a Tamil-dominant government in Sri Lanka's Northern Province.

He said the Tamil National Alliance Government in that region had the potential to do many things, and was only blaming the central government for their failures.

He described himself as a person without bias.

"I always treat everybody alike. I am the president of this country. I can't be taking sides, thinking about religion, caste and race. The opposition is always trying to take votes from us and keep people away from us and throw mud at us," he said.

He also brushed aside reports of there being tensions with India over China's so-called expansionist designs. He said, "Whenever Chinese warship have come to SriLanka or crossing around, the Indian high commissioner in Colombo is always informed."

He said the Indian authorities just wanted to know about the movement, and added that if any country wants to come for water or fuel, Sri Lanka is willing to welcome them.

"I will not allow my soil to be used against my friends and neighbours," he said in conclusion.