President is among the distinguished group of 14 to have received the honorary doctorate

Media Minister Anura Priyadharshana Yapa told BBC Sandeshaya that military equipment, as in any other country, needs to be regularly repaired.

He was commenting on the agreement signed between Sri Lanka and Russia for a $300 million credit facility for arms and ammunition from Russia.

President Mahinda Rajapaksa on Tuesday concluded an official visit to Russia where he met President Dmitry Medvedev and other senior officials.

Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama, Enterprise Development, Industrial Policy Investment Promotion Minister Prof. G.L. Peiris, President's Secretary Lalith Weeratunga and Sri Lanka Ambassador Udayanga Weeratunga also attended the meeting with President Medvedev.

Honorary doctorate

It was the first ever visit to Russia by a serving Sri Lankan president.

President Rajapaksa who was the chief guest at the 50 anniversary celebration of People's Friendship University (formerly known as Patrice Lumumba Universtiy) was awarded an honorary doctorate.

"The president is among only 14 distinguished people to have ever recived this honour," Minister Yapa, a member of the president's entourage told BBC Sandeshaya from Moscow.

President Rajapaksa has invited Russian gas and oil giant Gazprom to explore oil and gas in Mannar base after talks with Gazprom chairman Alexei Miller, Sri Lanka government's official website said.

"The Russian company also agreed to give Sri Lanka concessions in the purchase of refined and crude oil," it said.

Minister Yapa added that Russia and Sri Lanka also signed agreements on sharing technology and other co-operation on media matters.