RAK Airways, the national airline of Ras Al Khaimah, has announced the launch of its first holiday promotion to the Sri Lankan capital Colombo, as part of an extensive joint marketing campaign between RAK Tourism and its Sri Lankan counterpart to promote their respective tourist destinations.  The announcement was made in the presence of Mr. Dilip Mudadeniya, Managing Director of Sri Lanka Tourism and other key dignitaries and industry officials during the Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2008, where RAK Tourism is participating at the Ras Al Khaimah Stand.

By Malinda Seneviratne

COMMANDER OF THE ARMY, Lieutenant General Sarath Fonseka soon after his arrival in the country following a successful Pakistani tour met ground commanders in Wanni frontier this morning (10) when he flew to Vavuniya with several senior officers from the Army Headquarters.

Saturday's elections in an old Tamil Tiger stronghold offer the prospect of more autonomy and an end to civil war.

By Mian Ridge | Correspondent of The Christian Science Monitor

Baddaliyanage Don Joseph John alias Sunil Santha was born on 14th of April 1915 at Dehiyagatha, Jaela. His parents died whilst he was still a baby, so he was brought up by his grand mother and uncles. His youngest uncle Mr.M.J.Perera was a music lover.

Sunil Santha learned to play the harmonium from him.

By: P K Balachandran

COLOMBO: In the run-up to Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s state visit to Sri Lanka last month, the Mahinda Rajapaksa government found itself in a cleft stick. The US had expressed concern over growing ties between Sri Lanka and Iran, particularly because of a report on a secret military dimension. While Sri Lanka needed Iran’s friendship to meet its energy needs, it could not develop relations with Iran at the expense of ties with the US, whose help it needs to quash the Tamil Tiger rebels’ international network.

A Navy logistical vessel (A-520, MV Invincible) was damaged and caused to sink as a result of an underwater explosion around 2.15 am today (10).  The vessel was moored at the Ashroff jetty in Trincomalee harbour, at the time of the explosion, according to military sources.

COLOMBO: Voters in the East go to the polls today to elect 37 members to the first Provincial Council election to the delinked Eastern Province in the aftermath of the liberation of the east from the LTTE. Authorities said all arrangements are in place for a free and fair election with a 20,000 strong contingent of security personnel and 15,000 polls officers to man the election.

COMMANDER OF SRI LANKA Army Lieutenant General G.S.C. Fonseka called on Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (CJCSC) General Tariq Majid and Chief of Army Staff, General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani, here Monday, a press release in Pakistan said.

The first Flag of the National Heroes Flag Day was pinned on President Mahinda Rajapaksa on Wednesday(May 07)  morning at Temple Trees during a ceremony inaugurating a month dedicated to the war heroes.