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| Mahinda Rajapaksa and Teymoor Nabili | For almost a quarter of a century one of Asia's bloodiest conflicts has raged in Sri Lanka.
More than 60,000 people are thought to have died in the civil war between government forces and Tamil separatists in the north of the island.
A ceasefire reached in 2002 between the government and the rebels raised hopes for a lasting settlement. But violations of that agreement have become more frequent with hundreds dying in renewed fighting.
In an exclusive interview with 101 East's Teymoor Nabili, Mahinda Rajapaksa, the Sri Lankan president admits for the first time that the historic 2002 ceasefire is dead and says the route to a political solution runs through military tactics.
Watch this episode of 101 East here:
Part 1:
Part 2:
101 East airs at 16:30GMT every Thursday on Al Jazeera English
This episode of 101 East aired from 30 May 2007
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