Friday, March 21, 2008

Army bus caught to LTTE pressure mine - Mannar

Bus carrying army personnel caught to a pressure mine explosion in the Mannar area around 7.15 p.m. today.

According to the initial information reached, 2 army personnel were killed while 6 others received injuries due to this explosion took place in general area south-bar in Mannar.

Extracted from,
http://www.defence.lk/new.asp?fname=20080321_03

TNA withdraws from EP poll at Prabhakaran's instance

LTTE leader Velupillai Prabhakaran has ordered Tiger proxy TNA not to contest the upcoming Provincial Council elections in the Eastern Province. He issued this order when TNA Parliamentarians were attending the funeral of slain colleague Sivanesan.

According to reports from the Wanni, LTTE political wing leader Nadesan had reiterated to the TNA MPs the LTTE unwavering commitment to a Tamil homeland in the North and East and that their objective will be achieved in the near future.

He had also ordered the TNA MPs to agitate diplomatic missions in Colombo and complain that the Government was violating human rights and also to speak against the ongoing conflict.

The fact that elections are to be held in a demerged East and its implication on the Tamil homeland concept encompassing the Eastern Province had also weighed heavily in the LTTE's decision to order the TNA out of the poll.

Read more,
http://www.dailynews.lk/2008/03/21/sec01.asp

SriLankan Airlines works harder to lure Indian tourists

SriLankan Airlines has announced it has redoubled its efforts aimed at bringing more tourists to Sri Lanka from India, in support of the country’s tourism industry.

“We are fully focused on our responsibility as the National Carrier to support our own tourism industry, although the airline itself has a thriving business in transit passengers traveling through our hub in Colombo,” SriLankan Airines employee said.

According to the airline, its most recent promotion in India offers discounted fares throughout the month of February for Indian travelers below the age of 27 to enjoy exciting holidays in Sri Lanka, with one condition--travelers must spend a minimum of three days in Sri Lanka.

“In the past, travel advisories in European countries have led to drops in arrivals from some of the island’s traditional tourism markets, although tourists have never been targeted in the country’s conflict,” the airline added.

“The airline has invested heavily in recent years in publicizing Sri Lanka as a destination in India, drawing attention to its value for money shopping, wide range of cuisine, superior hotel and convention facilities, cultural wonders, and diverse climates and landscapes.”

Read more,
http://www.eturbonews.com/1792/srilankan-airlines-works-harder-lure-indian-t