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In his message on Thursday's 62nd Independence anniversary of Sri Lanka, Rajapaksa, whose military last May ended the 26-year-old Tamil Tigers' rebellion for a separate Tamil homeland, said the country is moving into a "new era of peace", the government Web site reported.

"It is necessary that we give equal priority to the tasks of national reconciliation and the building of trust among all sections of our people, as well as to development that will take us to our rightful place in the community of nations", said Rajapaksa, who defeated former Gen. Sarath Fonseka in last month's presidential contest.

Rajapaksa said the latest Independence anniversary was significant as it was the first "since the defeat of terrorism in our country."

His message came as his government held 37 people, including military officers, in an alleged plot to kill him, and amid opposition-launched demonstrations protesting alleged election manipulations.

The BBC quoted the opposition as denying the assassination plot, calling it a witch hunt against the defeated Fonseka, who too is hailed as a hero in the victory against the Tiger rebels.

The BBC, quoting the state media, said 23 of the 37 were arrested after a raid on the office of Fonseka. Earlier this week about a dozen officers were sent into forced retirement after being accused of involvement in politics.

Separately, Sri Lankan Election Commissioner Dayananda Dissanayake said he is satisfied with the election including the polling, counting procedure and tabulated results, the Sri Lankan Daily News reported. .

Rajapaksa won by a margin of about 18 percentage points against Fonseka.

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