Luke Munro surfing champ

SURFING: SriLankan Airlines took the lead in setting up the shore for the big boys of surf to ride the waves of South Asia in the first of the annual series of surf events hosted by the national carrier.

The first in the annual calendar, the SriLankan Pro 2006 presented by Oakley, just concluded in the sunny shores of Pasta Point in the Maldives where over 128 of the world's top surfers challenged the Maldivian waters.

Australian surfer Luke Munro took the Association of Surfing Professionals' (ASP) World Tour World Qualifying Series grand US$ 10,000 prize with an 18.1 score to second place fellow Australian Rhys Bombaci 14.84 total.

The SriLankan Pro 2006 is Munro's first major open win after three years on the World Qualifying Circuit and following numerous finals placings. The win has put Munro at number two on the World Qualifying Series Ratings, setting him up well for next seasons' World Championship Tour.