President Mahinda Rajapaksa said the government of Sri Lanka has ensured democracy and media freedom without imposing any ban or censorship on media since it came to power. 

Addressing the Victory Day celebrations in Matara, the President said media freedom is ensured in the country to the extent of allowing media stations to air any anti-government demonstrations as "live telecast".

{module LOLC}

"When speaking of the democracy in Sri Lanka, one has to compare the present situation with the past," the President added. 

"We have nothing to hide and therefore we are open to the world. Some, unfortunately, misuse our openness and lay flowers at the feet of Prabhakaran who killed thousands of civillians belonging to all races. But, they do not commemorate Tamil leaders who were killed by the LTTE, such as Alfred Duraiappa, Amirthalingam, Neelan Thiruchelvam and Lakshman Kadirgarmar!" the President remarked. 

While criticizing those who thrive on "Dollars" at the expense of peace enjoyed by the people of Sri Lanka, the President said the government has set up a "Parliamentary Select Committee" to find a political solution to the problem. 

"It is the best platform to formulate a solution and it is the responsibility of every democratic political party to take part in the proceedings of the Parliamentary Select Committee," the President said. 

"We never abandoned development during the time of war. While our soldiers were waging war in the North, we developed the East and the rest of the country. When our soldiers paraded down the streets after the victory of war, they witnessed a new Sri Lanka being built in the South," he added while addressing the Victory Day celebration.