US $20 million loan from Pakistan to boost military procurement 
[14 Feb 2001]

Pakistan has agreed to offer US $20 million to purchase vital military equipment to strengthen the fire-power of the Sri Lankan troops in its offensive against the LTTE, defence officials said yesterday.

Military spokesman Brigadier Sanath Karunaratne said that Pakistan has come forward to assist Sri Lanka to march towards victory against the terrorists by further strengthening the bond of friendship between the two nations.

The credit line was offered when Pakistan's Army Chief of Staff Lt. General Mohammad Yusuf Khan and Head of Military Intelligence Ehsan Ul-Haq visited Colombo recently.

Pakistan was one of the first countries Sri Lanka requested assistance from in May last year to purchase arms when the LTTE made an abortive attempt to capture Jaffna.

Military officials commenting on the agreement said that the aid would no doubt be a massive boost to Sri Lanka's fight against the LTTE at this crucial juncture.

The LTTE is reported to be re-grouping among the north-east jungles to launch a major attack as soon as their 'self-declared cease-fire' is over.

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