LONDON, June 8: Sri Lanka is looking to Pakistan for help to bolster its military capabilities as the ceasefire between the government and rebels appears increasingly fragile, specialist publication Jane’s Defence Weekly said Thursday.

Sri Lanka has asked Pakistan to facilitate the purchase of military equipment worth around $60 million, according to discussions detailed in documents seen by the defence magazine.

The report was published as violence surged on the island, with at least 16 people reported killed, hours before talks opened in Oslo between the Colombo government and Tamil Tiger rebels on ensuring protection for ceasefire monitors.

According to the magazine, the Sri Lankan army’s shopping list has a combined value of $20 million, while the air force’s requirements are worth a further $38.1 million.

The weekly said that Sri Lanka was looking to build up its military capacity and had also issued a plea to Pakistan to provide swift technical assistance for its T-55 main battle tanks (MBTs) and C-130 transport aircraft.

In a document dated March 1, Sri Lanka wrote: “It would be greatly appreciated if arrangement could be made to invite a technical team to Colombo to carry out an immediate survey of T-55 MBTs and C-130 aircraft.”

It added: “Since a number of MBTs and C-130s are in need of urgent technical repairs, it is earnestly requested that this be given utmost priority and a suitable technical repair team be arranged to carry out immediate inspection.”

The Sri Lankan army’s extensive wish list includes 10 Baktar Shikan anti-tank guided missile weapon systems, 300 standard/tandem warheads and two training simulators, respectively, worth $1.5 million, $4.5 million and $120,000. — AFP