By Amal Jayasinghe in Colombo

A senior Sri Lankan military delegation is in Israel to discuss the purchase of two naval vessels and the training of over 100 Sri Lankan naval officers and staff.

The five-member team, led by the deputy director of naval operation, Commodore T Samarasinghe, is expected to conclude its visit by the end of this week.

The Sri Lankan navy wants the Jewish state to train the crewmen who will operate the two vessels which are to be used in its fight against Tamil Tiger rebels.

The Sri Lankan navy uses mainly Israeli craft and weapons systems in the battle against Tamil Tiger guerrillas in the north-east of the island.

The Dvora class Israeli-built gunboats are the backbone of the navy which is ill-equipped to prevent arms smuggling by Tamil Tigers.

Rebel capability

The guerrillas who are also believed to operate merchant vessels through front organisations have an impressive sea going capability.

The guerrillas have gained a real cutting edge with the deployment of suicide bombers known as Black Sea Tigers who ram their explosives-laden craft and sink navy gunboats at regular intervals.

Although some of the locally-built craft of the guerrillas are crude, they at times beat the fastest gun boat of the Sri Lankan navy.

Modernisation

However, the navy has now begun its modernisation.

The Sri Lankan navy is now set to acquire its first multi-purpose craft.

The navy has paid $26m for two second-hand boats that were used by the Israeli navy for about 20 years.

Sri Lankan authorities say the Israelis have maintained the craft well and the training package is an added incentive.

Sri Lanka ended its limited diplomatic contact with the Jewish state 10 years ago, but the defence establishments of the two countries have maintained close ties as Israel remained an important supplier of weapons for Sri Lanka's battle against Tamil separatists.