Eelamists have not given up: Sri Lanka President

Colombo: Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa on Tuesday cautioned that separatist elements in the country have not given up yet, in a veiled reference to the Tamil Eelam supporters' conference held in Chennai recently. "Though we have ended terrorism, there is lot more remaining to be done. Forty years ago they passed a resolution seeking separation of the country. The conference held recently also boosts Eelam demand," Rajapaksa told a gathering at Kuruvita, a south western town.

Eelam is the separate Tamil state which the LTTE fought to set up in a bitter military battle over three decades. Rajapaksa said the whole country needs to unite so as not to let those seeking separation gain momentum.

He was critical of the leader of the Left Front Wickremabahu Karunaratne for attending the DMK called TESO conference, although he did not name him directly. He said patriotic Sri Lankans should not go overseas and criticise the nation.

Mahinda Rajapaksa made a veiled reference to the Tamil Eelam supporters\' conference held in Chennai recently.

(For updates you can share with your friends, follow IBNLive on Facebook, Twitter, Google+ and Pinterest)