According to press reports, Sri Lanka officials will meet this week with Indian and Russian delegations regarding the purchase of arms like air defense weaponry. This move is made as the fighting with Tamil Tiger rebels intensified.

Separate meetings will be held by defense officials from Russia and India with the officials form Sri Lanka to discuss about the improving of the system that is used against the low-flying Czech-built Zlin Z-143 that are operated by the rebels, AFP said.

Sri Lanka military wants to upgrade the fleet of Mi-35 helicopter gun ships.

On Monday it is scheduled a meeting with the Russian delegation that will concentrate on the fact that Sri Lanka will purchase a "major consignment" of Russian-made weapons.

India is the one that provided for Sri Lanka’s military a radar system and talks are to be held regarding the improvement of the equipment. Also talks will be held on the margins of the air defense capability of government forces and its improvement.

No comments were made by the officials of the three countries involved in future talks.

Ever since the rebels started flying aircraft which has been smuggled into the country piece by piece, the officials of Sri Lanka has been trying to improve its weapons and air defense.

On Friday the coalition government of Sri Lanka approved the war budget for the year 2008, which is the biggest one yet.

The budget was voted by the parliament with 114 to 67 in favor. It will allocate 166.44 billion rupees for defense in the war against the Tamil Tiger rebels, Forbes.com informs.

The government is saying that is working to meet the demands of the rebels, but is also saying that it wants to eliminate them.

Fighting between the rebels and the troops increased in recent months due to a truce which has been brokered by Norway.