Colombo: In an attempt to end an impasse in the peace process, a top Norwegian envoy on July 17 carried the latest Sri Lankan offer of greater political and financial powers to Tamil Tiger rebels.

Special envoy Jon Westborg travelled to the rebel-held Wanni region on July 17 to formally handover the set of proposals finalised by the government to grant more powers to the Tiger rebels.

The government's chief peace negotiator, G L Peiris, said a set of proposals for the setting up of a "provisional administrative structure" was given to the Tamil Tiger rebels through Westborg.

"We do not expect a quick response from the LTTE (Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam)," Peiris said. He said the Tigers were expected to consult with their experts before coming up with a reply.

However, Peiris, who is also the government's Constitutional Affairs Minister, said he believed that the new proposals could form the basis for resuming direct talks.

The peace process is deadlocked since the Tigers announced suspending talks on April 21 after accusing the government of failing to deliver on promises made at six rounds of talks since September.

Peiris declined to give details of the government's latest proposals. But said they could be further modified based on a Tiger reaction.

The Tigers are demanding greater political and financial powers in the island's embattled Northern and Eastern areas as a pre-condition to return to the negotiating table.

PTI