Colombo, July 28: Sri Lankan government today said it was hopeful of ending the current impasse in the peace process and said the Tiger rebels were studying its offer of
an interim council ahead of a final settlement.
The government's top negotiator G. L. Peiris, said he
hoped peace negotiations, stalled since April 21, could
begin "in a few weeks," although there was no direct
confirmation from the Tigers.
The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) were
giving "serious consideration" to the latest offer of an
interim council for the war-torn northeast regions where the
Tigers would have a majority stake, Peiris said.
"We have every expectation, based on objective
criteria, that the dialogue will resume in a few weeks,"
Peiris said.
Eleven days ago, the government presented a set of
proposals to set up a provisional administrative structure
granting political, administrative and financial authority
to the LTTE.
The Tigers suspended their participation in the
Norwegian-backed peace talks on April 21 after accusing the
government of failing to deliver on promises made at six
rounds of negotiations.
The LTTE insists on the establishment of an interim
council for war-ravaged areas as a pre-condition for re-
entering the peace process.
Peiris said there had been no official response from
the Tigers to the latest government offer, but indications
were that the guerrillas were studying the package
seriously.
Bureau Report
