From correspondents in Colombo, Sri Lanka, 02:01 AM IST

The Sri Lankan government and the UN have agreed to find a political solution to the island's long drawn-out ethnic conflict, the presidential office said Sunday.

In a joint statement issued Saturday at the conclusion of UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon's two-day visit to the island, the two sides agreed that addressing the aspirations and grievances of all communities and working towards a lasting political solution was fundamental to ensure long-term socio-economic development, according to a press release by the presidential office Sunday .

'The secretary-general welcomed the assurance of the president of Sri Lanka contained in his statement in parliament on May 19 that a national solution acceptable to all sections of people will be evolved,' it said.

At the invitation of Rajapaksa, Ban visited Sri Lanka Friday and Saturday. Ban held talks with the prime minister, Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama and other senior leaders.

(Staff Writer, © IANS)