Colombo: Sri Lanka and the United States have begun joint military exercises including arms operations, the American Embassy in Colombo said on January 14.

The joint exercises, code-named "Balance Style" is the ninth for the two nations and will continue till early March, it said in a statement.

The training began in January and would continue till early March, it added.

Official sources, however, said the training on the ground should begin in about five days at three locations in the South of the island.

Some 150 Army soldiers and 50 sailors are expected to take part in the training that will also involve about 30 US experts, the sources said.

The forces of the two countries will train together and learn from each other about current military equipment and techniques, the US said adding, "It seeks to foster relationships between the two countries that promote regional stability.

"In this year's exercises, Army and Navy participants from both nations will train side by side, concentrating on combined arms operations, medical techniques, military operations, and other skills."

The United States had in 1983 refused to sell even helicopter spare parts to Sri Lanka because of its internal conflict with Tamil Tiger rebels. However, since 2000, the two nations have stepped up military co-operation with the US banning the Tamil Tigers in October 1997 as a foreign terrorist organisation.

PTI