Also included in the deal is sharing of combat experience, they said. Finance Ministry officials have confirmed the deal adding that this was brought to the notice of the ministry by R Paskaralingam, Adviser to the Ministry of National Policy Planning and Economic Affairs.

There is no Russian credit line for Sri Lanka at present but the country has entered into several bilateral agreements with Russia in the past. Russia provided assistance to meet post-conflict challenges, including the provision of relief items and US$ 500,000 through the UNHCR.

Russia has given an assurance to Sri Lanka that it will provide assistance for the restoration of peace and reconstruction and for expeditious relief to a large number of internally displaced people, the sources said