He said that a time when the youth had been liberated from the ‘culture of guns and land mines’ and are now enjoying the freedom of expression and movement and are living without any fear or suspicion, they should not allow themselves to be led into the political wilderness by the so called Tamil leaders.

Following in the footsteps of these Tamil leaders in the past, had only caused the Tamil people destruction he told the Sunday Island.

Today, President Rajapaksa is being respected by all as he is the only leader who accepts the fact that though there are different communities in this country, especially the Tamils have their own distinctive culture, religion, linguistic identities and heritage and when all stand united as one nation of Sri Lankans.

"The President is ready to extend his fullest support to the Tamil people to solve their day to day problems and live in harmony coexisting with the other communities in the country", Rajapaksa said.

The Tamil people should be courageous and wise at this crucial juncture and not allow this opportunity to slip by to be stakeholders of the government for the next seven years by strengthening the hands of the President, he noted.

Courtesy: Island