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by Manjula Fernando and Rajmi Manatunga 

The development structure proposed by the Government in its response to the LTTE letter will be entirely in conformity with the country's legal framework and will be transparent and equitable by all ethnic groups, Cabinet spokesman Prof.G.L. Peiris told the weekly Cabinet press briefing yesterday.

He said the Government formulated a set of proposals to initiate a structure that will ensure effective delivery of adequate results with regard to resettlement, rehabilitation and reconstruction of the North and East. This proposal is anticipated to fulfil their main demand to come to peace talks and participate in the Tokyo donor conference. "We are hopeful the proposal will be accepted by the LTTE," the Chief Negotiator said.

"These proposals are not a radical revision of the earlier proposals of the peace process but a practical solution to the present problem we have encountered."

Prof.Peiris said the letter which has now been handed over to the Norwegian special envoy Eric Solheim who is to meet the LTTE leaders in Kilinochchi shortly, carries a pragmatic response to the request of the LTTE.

"We have been holding a series of discussions with the Norwegian facilitators for the past few days to find means to resolve the issue. Norwegian Ambassador Hans Brattskar and special envoy Erik Solheim held several rounds of talks with the Government team." Elaborating on the proposed structure Minister said the LTTE has been requesting for a mechanism to expedite development activities in the North and East. "It has been among the main topics of discussion during peace talks. It was nothing new. "

However, the Minister refuted claims there was nil delivery on the part of SIHRN. "A lot of work was done under this sub-committee although its performance was not absolutely perfect."

The Minister expressed the hope that the LTTE will participate in the Tokyo donor conference scheduled to be held on June 9 and 10. In response to a question as to whether it was too late for the LTTE to confirm their participation, the Minister said still there was a good chance.

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