Colombo, July 17: The Sri Lankan government today sent its much-awaited proposals for the establishment of a Provisional Administrative Structure (PAS) to the Tamil Tiger rebels in a bid to break the deadlock in the 17-month-long peace process. Minister of constitutional affairs and chief government negotiator, Prof G L Peiris said today at a media briefing that Norwegian special envoy and former ambassador to Colombo, Jon Westborg has left for rebel-held Kilinochchi this morning carrying the government proposals to the LTTE leadership.

Prof. Peiris, who is in charge of drafting the proposals, said the document despatched to the LTTE as promised was containing ''a concrete set of proposals'' outlining the government's thoughts reflected at the recently concluded Tokyo conference. ''This is not the final draft, but a basis for discussion and reflects the parameters within which the interim administration could be established as required by the LTTE. It was formulated considering the concerns of all parties concerned,'' he said.

The rebel leadership had previously rejected the government's proposal twice and demanded a ''concrete set of proposals'' to form a politico-administrative structure well outside the existing constitution and with the wider participation of the LTTE. Prof. Peiris, who is also the Cabinet spokesman said what has been sent to the LTTE was not the ''final proposal'' since it has to be evolved by means of constructive dialogue between the parties.

''The final proposals cannot be set out in a document unilaterally drafted by the government. However these are not vague or nebulous ideas, but a concrete set of proposals and could be the basis for dialogue to reach a consensus on this issue,'' he said.

Bureau Report