I wish to become President not to declare war but to solve each and every problem of the country in unity through negotiations. I believe even the LTTE, the other party in the war has also realized the futility of war. Nobody could divide the country by war. War brings only destruction, said Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa addressing a mass rally at Nadeshwara Vidyalayam in Jaffna.

"We must stop fratricidal war and conduct in unison a war for national unity dispelling the separatist mind-set, a war to satisfy the people's wants through developing the economy, a war to ensure that our children would grow as knowledgeable and learned citizens", he added. The Prime Minister pledged to make maximum sacrifice to seek a permanent end to the war. "I could sacrifice anything except my motherland", he said.

He also said that he wished to see Sinhala, Tamil and Muslim communities living together in harmony in Jaffna as it used to be earlier. He also pledged to pay compensation to the people who have been displaced due to the existence of high security zones till such time as they would be able to return to their native villages there.

Referring to developments that led to estranged and hostile relations between the communities the Prime Minister questioned who was responsible for the burning of the Jaffna library, who was responsible for vote rigging at the Jaffna Development Council elections and who was responsible for Black July that blocked the opportunity for the Tamil people to engage in democratic politics to win their rights.

He added that those responsible for those crimes are now talking of peace. The Prime Minister also expressed his gratitude to the members of the Armed forces and the Police who sacrificed tremendously to maintain the security of the country. He pledged not to dissolve the army by reducing the number of brigades and not allow anyone to target Army intelligence officers.