President Mahinda Rajapaksa said that India has been Sri Lanka's friend and will remain the same under his leadership.

He made this comment speaking in Tamil at a rally in Nuwara Eliya which was attended by a large number of Tamils of Indian origin.

The president added that areas inhabited by Indian Tamils should be developed so that the people can live with dignity.

He said that the government is modernizing and developing 100 estate sector hospitals. Estate health sector has been developed by recruiting people from the Indian Tamil community itself, he added.

The president also promised to develop education facilities in the area. Mahindodaya Laboratories have been built in the region, he added and promised that University Colleges will also be started in the area.