By Roland Buerk BBC correspondent, Colombo

Describing the LTTE as terrorists, President Rajapakse said the Tigers should lay down their arms and begin talks with Sri Lanka's government.

	President says LTTE should lay down arms before talks

In an exclusive interview with the BBC, he said the the military would not hesitate to take action in self-defence, if they continue to fight.

In recent months, Sri Lanka's armed forces have driven the rebels from much of the east of the country.

The president said it was his duty to liberate the population from their control.

But Mr Rajapakse said in the long-term he did not believe in a military solution to the conflict in Sri Lanka and he would try to resolve it politically.

Indian role

President Rajapakse said he was prepared to devolve power to the provinces as part of a settlement, as long as Sri Lanka remains one unitary country.

He also called for India, the giant neighbour to the north, to do more to help.

He said historic close ties between the two countries, people's culture and traditions meant India was in a position to do more than any other nation to end the conflict.