Rajapaksa made the comments at an interaction with senior journalists here amid indications that the former Army Chief will challenge him in the January 26 Presidential Polls as common Opposition candidate.

"People of all walks of life including the security forces were involved in the eradication of terrorism led by him and no one can claim it as an individual victory," Rajapaksa was quoted as telling a group of senior editors by Daily News.

Fonseka, who quit as Chief of Defence Staff a fortnight ago following a spat with Rajapaksa, is likely to formally announce his candidature tomorrow.

He is widely credited for the military victory against the LTTE and he will project him as a 'war hero' during the polls, which is expected to be a keen contest.

Rajapaksa also said he decided to advance the Presidential polls by nearly two years to provide an opportunity for the Tamils in north and eastern Lanka to exercise their franchise.

"I think that the people in the North and East should have a right to get involved in the election of President in their land," Rajapaksa, who will contest the January 26 Presidential Polls as the ruling party candidate, said.

The decision was also to give an opportunity to the people in the North and East whose right to vote was "deprived by the LTTE at the last Presidential election".

He said he was committed to lead the development drive in the country. "The media should provide more balanced and accurate news to the public. This election is turning out to be a mud slinging campaign," the Daily News quoted Rajapaksa to say.

Rajapaksa said fraud and corruption is closely entwined with the system of open economy. The open economic system paved the way for the genesis of fraud and corruption in the country, he said.

He said the Government will take every possible step to curb corruption and fraud in the country.