REFUGEE

Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa has said the victory against LTTE was achieved by the security forces and no one can claim it as an individual victory, in an apparent reference to Sarath Fonseka's plans to project him as a 'war hero' in the Presidential polls.

Rajapaksa made the comments at an interaction with senior journalists here amid indications that the former Army Chief will challenge him in the January 26 Presidential Polls as common Opposition candidate.

"People of all walks of life including the security forces were involved in the eradication of terrorism led by him and no one can claim it as an individual victory," Rajapaksa was quoted as telling a group of senior editors by Daily News.

Fonseka, who quit as Chief of Defence Staff a fortnight ago following a spat with Rajapaksa, is likely to formally announce his candidature tomorrowHe is widely credited for the military victory against the LTTE and he will project him as a 'war hero' during the polls, which is expected to be a keen contest.

Rajapaksa also said he decided to advance the Presidential polls by nearly two years to provide an opportunity for the Tamils in north and eastern Lanka to exercise their franchise.

"I think that the people in the North and East should have a right to get involved in the election of President in their land," Rajapaksa, who will contest the January 26 Presidential Polls as the ruling party candidate, said.

The decision was also to give an opportunity to the people in the North and East whose right to vote was "deprived by the LTTE at the last Presidential election".