New Delhi, Feb 09: Conceding that the peace pact with the Tamil Tigers was a mistake, Sri Lanka said it expects India to be "more sensitive" and lend "more support" to solve the conflict in the island nation.

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

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

"With the prevailing situation, India should be more sensitive. I would like to remind the people that India has 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 role in this issue, as compared to any other country."

Rajapakse said the rights of the people "taken away" by the LTTE should be granted back to the people.

"In LTTE areas, no political parties can function, people cannot walk anywhere 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 in the Karuna faction's alleged recruitment of child soldiers.

Bureau Report