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Emirates, the international airline of the UAE, and an official sponsor of this year's Cricket World Cup, provided Sri Lankan cricket fans with an opportunity to convey their personal greetings and best wishes to the team that will defend the country's title as world one-day champions in the United Kingdom next month.

The airline's ``Good Luck Book'' is making its final run in Colombo and the suburbs after travelling through Kandy, Galle and Nuwara Eliya. The book weighs 15 kilograms and comprises 400 pages. It will be formally presented to the Sri Lankan team prior to its departure to the UK.

The Emirates Good Luck Sri Lanka book will be transported on a specially constructed dais on an open truck, courtesy media sponsors, Yes FM, Sirasa FM, MTV and Shakthi TV.

Emirates' Area Manager for Sri Lanka and Maldives, Tissa Bibile is scheduled to present the Good Luck Book to Sri Lanka's cricket captain Arjuna Ranatunga on April 22.

Commenting on the exercise, Mr. Bibile said: ``As an official sponsor of the World Cup, Emirates is committed to support all the competing teams, but as the airline's representatives in Sri Lanka, the loyalties of my staff and I are with the Sri Lankan team. We hope thousands of Sri Lankans will express their support for our team through this Good Luck Book''.

He said the book would be a source of inspiration to the team and will convey the message that despite its recent loss of form, the cricket-loving public is fully supportive of the team.

Emirates will be responsible for the travel arrangements of the Sri Lankan team, and also plans to support several other activities locally to generate more interest in the World Cup. ``This sponsorship means a lot to us, as it reflects our continuing support for cricket in particular in this country and other sports activities in general,'' Bibile added. The airline is also the sponsor for many major international sporting events including horse racing, golf, rugby, tennis and boat racing.