In an address to the nation as Sri Lanka celebrated 64 years of independence from British rule, Rajapaksa said that a solution to the national issue following the end of 30 years of war with Tamil Tiger rebels, can only be reached by the Sri Lankan parliament.

"We believe that the mechanism for solving the national question is the Parliamentary Select Committee. It is the duty of all parties in the country to solve problems according to the people's wishes by participating in this Parliamentary Select Committee rather than relying on imported solutions and utilizing foreign influences," Rajapaksa said.