Russia will lend Sri Lanka a $300m loan to buy arms and dual-purpose technology, according to the Russian deputy finance minister.

The arms deal will cover weapons purchases as well as extensive repairs of Russian military equipment previously delivered to Sri Lanka, which has been used in the country’s ongoing war with the Tamil Tigers.

During his first visit to Russia, Sri Lankan president Mahinda Rajapaksa discussed ways to strengthen the bilateral relations between the two countries with his Russian counterpart.

Deputy finance minister Dmitry Pankin said that the loan would be for ten years with LIBOR plus 3.5% interest.