He said so at an interaction with the media when this correspondent asked him: Are you a candidate for the presidency in the upcoming election?""

Sirisena responded: "The presidential election is due on December 7. The Election Commission has already initiated the electoral process. However, the opposition has not announced its candidate so far. So, I too am in no hurry to take a decision on the issue."

The Sri Lankan leader arrived here along with leaders of other BIMSTEC countries on Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s invitation to attend the latter’s swearing-in for a second five-year term here on Thursday evening. He had a bilateral meeting with Modi today, and had an interaction with Indian and global media before flying back to Colombo in the evening.

("The Indian Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement that President Sirisena had a bilateral meeting with Modi. He congratulated the Prime Minister on the re-assumption of office following the resounding victory of his Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the recently-held General Elections, and reiterated his desire to work together to strengthen relations between the two countries for peace, prosperity and security in our region. (Modi warmly thanked President Sirisena for his gesture of attending his swearing-in ceremony, and also for his good wishes. He conveyed his government’s continued commitment to further foster friendly bilateral ties with Sri Lanka.(The two leaders noted that terrorism and extremism continue to pose threat to humanity and committed to closer bilateral cooperation for peace and security in South Asia and the Indian Ocean region).

Answering a volley of questions, Sirisena said peace has been restored in the island within three weeks after the Easter bombings that rocked Colombo and other places. Tourists have started visiting the country. Many countries that had advised their citizens to stay away from Sri Lanka after the blasts have since withdrawn their advisories.

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He said it was on April 4 that Indian agencies had sent the first alert to Sri Lanka about the imminent suicide bombings. But neither the police chief nor the defence chief informed him about this, nor took any preventive action.

"I knew nothing about the Indian alerts till April 15, when I left the island. I was in Singapore on April 21, when the bombings occurred. Had they informed me, I would have stayed back and taken steps to prevent those blasts. I would not have allowed so many innocent lives to be lost."

Asked if he was deliberately kept in the dark about the Indian intelligence alerts for political reasons, the President said: "No. Those two officials were just lazy. I promptly sacked them on my return and ordered an investigation into the blasts by a Supreme Court judge. Once I receive its report, necessary legal and disciplinary action will be taken by all those found responsible."

He said the suicide bombers and terrorists were young, well educated and came from wealthy families. They went to some foreign countries to gain training to indulge in terrorism. They were helped by the IS.

Acts of terrorism have happened in many big and powerful countries. All democratic countries must join hands to put down terrorism, Sirisena said.

He said India, the UK and the US are among the countries that are actively assisting Sri Lanka in its efforts to investigate the Easter blasts.

After suffering three decades of LTTE terrorism, Sri Lanka has enjoyed a decade of peace. There is no threat of LTTE being revived. Sirisema said:"There were five attempts on my life by the LTTE. Most of those involved in them were eliminated. Only one person was captured alive and jailed for life. But I pardoned him. He is now leading a normal life with his wife and parents.

He defended pardoning Bodu Bala Sena’s founder and firebrand Buddhist monk Gnanasara Thero. He said his pardon was recommended by many prominent Buddhist monks in the island. "Then I consulted Muslim maulvis. They said they have no objection. So, I warned Gnanasara Thero against indulging any activity to disturb the peace, and told him that he will be rearrested if he does so."

Answering questions on the future of SAARC, the president said SAARC and BIMSTEC are strong regional institutions. Members must work together to strengthen them.

Responding to an Indian journalist’s query, Sirisena sought to allay apprehensions that China is gaining influence in Sri Lanka and causing some anxiety in this country. Öur relations with China are basically economic in nature. In any case, we are alert and careful about protecting our sovereignty,"he declared.

He said Muslims are as safe as people of other religions in Sri Lanka. "Like India, we are a vibrant democracy. We are working to ensure that all Sri Lankans live happily and as equal citizens."

Answering a question on devolution of powers in Tamil areas, he said the 13th amendment to the Sri Lankan Constitution in 1987 had brought about extensive devolution. What is needed is streamlining what has been done already. "We understand the aspirations of all Sri Lankans to do well economically, and to live in peace. We are making efforts to fulfil these aspirations."