New Delhi: Conceding that thepeace pact with the Tamil Tigers was a mistake, Sri Lanka said it expects India to be 'more sensitive' andlend 'more support' to solve the conflict in the island nation.

"Today we realise we have made a mistake. Through the peace pact, we havedemarcated areas called LTTE-controlled areas, and they have taken the rightsof the people through this pact," Sri Lanka's President MahindaRajapaksa told BBC News.

He said he expects Lanka's 'closest country' India -- to be more sensitive andto lend more support to help solve the conflict in his country.

"With the prevailing situation, India should be more sensitive. Iwould like to remind the people that Indiahas learnt lessons from Sri Lanka,and solved the problem in Nepal,"Rajapaksa was quoted as saying in a statement issued by BBC.

"That is why I think and I believe India can still play a major rolein this issue, as compared to any other country." Rajapakse said therights of the people "taken away" by the LTTE should be granted backto the people.

"In LTTE areas, no political parties can function, people cannot walkanywhere with freedom, and the children are being forced to join the LTTE.These rights should be granted back to the people," he said.

He said it was a false allegation that the Sri Lankan military was complicit inthe Karuna faction's alleged recruitment of child soldiers.