ABU DHABI, 4 April, 05 (WAM) - Sri Lankan President Chandrika Kumaratungayesterday praised the expertise of Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoumand Emirates management at a reception in Colombo to mark the launchof a book on SriLankan airlines and civil aviation in the country.
"We have been delighted by our association with Emirates, who broughtwith them a deserved reputation as an award-winning airline and knownfor excellent service and great professionalism," said President Kumaratunga.
"I hope that the association between Sri Lankan and Emirates will continuefor years to come." President Kumaratunga and Sheikh Ahmed bin SaeedAl Maktoum, chairman of Dubai Civil Aviation and Emirates Airlines, attendedthe book launch, and timed to coincide with the 25th anniversary of SriLankan. The carrier has been managed by Emirates for nearly a decade now, a periodin which the profitability and profile of the carrier has improved markedly.Speaking at the event, Sheikh Ahmed said: "Through our association withSriLankan, Emirates will continue to strive to promote Sri Lanka as atourist destination and, I hope, to help build the economy." Speakingat the event, Sheikh Ahmed said.
SriLankan had earlier announced that profits from the book will go toTsunami relief efforts in the country. The island-based carrier, whichstarted life as Air Lanka in 1979, has been celebrating its anniversarywith a year long series of events. The launch of Monara Rising, a 216-pagehardback book is one of the key events of this anniversary.
The book was produced by Dubai-based publishing company Media Prima,also responsible for biographies such as Father of Dubai, on the lateSheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum, and Zayed, a tribute to the lateSheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan.
"This is actually a remarkable story," stated author Graeme Wilson, speakingat the event. "Over the last 25 years this carrier went through a rollercoasterof high and low points. But each time there was a blow, we have seenSriLankan return to health. Since the link with Emirates, SriLankan hasundergone a metamorphosis and is today one of the most respected carriersin Asia. Its Dandu Monara livery is symbolic of reliability, serviceand good value."
