Iran's Ahmadinejad launches Sri Lanka refinery work

Colombo: Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad launched a project to boost the capacity of Sri Lanka's main oil refinery on Tuesday.

The project is part of Sri Lanka's $1.5 billion loan from Iran, which seeks to extend its energy ties in South Asia.

The loan will fund a raft of infrastructure projects in Sri Lanka, including boosting oil refinery capacity and a 100 megawatt hydropower project.

"We are seeking justice and fair play in the world and Sri Lanka and Iran have agreed to cooperate in all spheres for the mutual benefit of each other," Ahmadinejad told reporters late on Monday on his arrival in Sri Lanka.

Ahmadinejad visited Pakistan on Monday to seal a $7.6 billion pipeline deal and is travelling to India later on Tuesday to iron out plans for the cross-border pipeline deal.