New Delhi has once again expressed serious concern over Sri Lanka’s continued reliance on Pakistan for arms. The Indian anxiety comes after reports mid last week claimed that Sri Lanka has ordered emergency military supplies from India’s arch rival Pakistan, as hostilities between government forces and LTTE rebels took a turn for the worse.

Reports claimed that the Army has sought 150,000 rounds of 60mm mortar ammunition and as many hand grenades for immediate delivery to Sri Lanka from Pakistan.

“Sri Lanka has requested US$ 25 million worth of 81mm, 120mm and 130mm mortar ammunition to be delivered within a month,” IANS said, in a news report filed in New Delhi.

The report claimed that the military links between Islamabad and Colombo are worrying India because they allow Pakistan access to Sri Lankan defence and intelligence establishments. New Delhi mid last year publicly expressed displeasure over Sri Lanka’s military purchases from Pakistan and China.