Sri Lanka has agreed a deal with Iran that allows it to pay Tehran money for oil without breaking the US-led sanctions.
Over Rs 2 billion in unpaid bills will be used for an irrigation project which is funded by Iran.
Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmedinejad pledged $450 million to fund the scheme during his visit in 2008, but Iran has been unable to do so due to a lack of funds.
“Because of the US sanctions there is a delay in transferring funds from Iran to Sri Lanka but both governments have decided to use the money which is to be paid off for the fuel we bought from that country to go ahead with the project,” said Ivan de Silva, Secretary for the Irrigation and Water Resources Management Ministry to the Sunday Times.