COLOMBO, Sept. 20 (Xinhuanet) -- A defense cooperation agreement between Sri Lanka and India is to be finalized next month, state radio announced here Monday.

    Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation quoted defense officials as saying that the agreement would be finalized in October.

    The agreement provides for sharing of military intelligence, increased patrolling of waters between the two neighboring nations,training for Sri Lankan military officials and other related cooperation, the radio said.

    The preparatory work on defense cooperation agreement has been going on since mid last year.

    Early this month the Chief of the Indian Navy, Admiral Arun Prakash, visited Sri Lanka and pledged assistance to Sri Lanka.

    Sri Lanka's new Chief of Defense Staff Vice Admiral Daya Sandagiri said last week that an off-shore patrol vessel would be purchased from India for the Sri Lanka navy. Enditem