Colombo (PTI): Sri Lankan Air Force pounded areas in the LTTE stronghold killing seven militants aboard a truck whereas, 26 others including two soldiers lost their lives in clashes elsewhere in the island nation's embattled north, officials said on Friday.

The Provincial Council election date for the North Central and the Sabaragamuwa provincial councils is fixed for on August 23.All major parties and a number of independent groups conclude handing over of nominations for the North Central and the Sabaragamuwa provincial council elections this morning.The United People’s Freedom Alliance has handed over the nominations for all four districts of both the provinces for the forthcoming North provincial Council elections.

WANNI, NORTH & EAST: TROOPS straying into Tiger strongholds and their defensive positions for another day on Thursday (3) inflicted further losses and damages to the enemy destroying bunkers and claiming several Tiger lives.

Finalized military reports received from the Wanni battlefronts yesterday (July 3) indicate several significant gains to the armed forces engaged in counter terror offensives against the LTTE terrorists. According to the reports, over 30 terrorists were killed and at least 35 injured during these clashes. In addition, 2 soldiers were killed, 2 reported missing and 17 others were injured, the reports revealed.

Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa, Chief of Defence Staff Air Chief Marshal Donald Perera and Commander of the Army Lieutenant General Sarath Fonseka, in a bid to take stock of security concerns in the East had round of discussion with senior officers in the Security Force Headquarters, East in Minneriya last morning (3).

Hikkaduwa Beach Fest ‘08

A fun-filled fiesta for kids, adults, and grandparents!

The world famous southern coastal town of Hikkaduwa, is all agog with preparations, to hold ‘Hikkaduwa Beach Fest’ 08’ an initiative of Sri Lanka Tourism. The sun-kissed beaches of Hikkaduwa will vibrate to the pulsating rhythms of DJs, dancers, and musicians from July 30 - August 3. The event will cater to both local and foreign visitors as well as to persons of all age groups – a family outing – a break from the monotony.

The world famous southern coastal town of Hikkaduwa, is all agog with preparations, to hold ‘Hikkaduwa Beach Fest’ 08’ an initiative of Sri Lanka Tourism (SLT). The beaches of Hikkaduwa will vibrate to the pulsating rhythms of DJs, dancers, and musicians from July 30 - August 3. The event will cater to both local and foreign visitors as well as to persons of all age groups – a family outing – a break from the monotony, SLT said.

B. Muralidhar Reddy

Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama has emphasized the paramount need for Sri Lanka to adopt a national strategy for maritime security, given her geo-strategic location in the Indian Ocean straddling the vital sea route linking the Orient and the West. He made this observation at a meeting held at the Foreign Ministry on 27 June 2008, when a Concept Paper on “National Strategy for Maritime Security of Sri Lanka” was presented to him. The in-depth study and analysis on this subject was commissioned by the Minister and conducted by a Committee appointed by him under the auspices of the Lakshman Kadirgamar Institute for International Relations and Strategic Studies (LKIIRSS).

With more and more civilians living in North sneaking into government controlled areas, the LTTE has mobilized everyone and everything for what appears to be a "last stand," said Strategy Page.“Most of the Tamils in the north don't want to be part of that, but opposing the LTTE can get you killed. So those who can, are fleeing,” said the leading website on military affairs.