Kathmandu, Dec. 21
Nepal and Sri Lanka have discussed about the possible air
connections between Colombo and Lumbini.
The first meeting of Nepal-Sri
Lanka Joint Commission (JC) that began in Kathmandu on Thursday take a note
that the start of Kathmandu-Colombo air connection was encouraging and talked
about further cooperation in aviation and other sectors, informed the Ministry
of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) of Nepal.
Nepal is looking for options to
bring in Buddhist pilgrims and tourists directly to Lumbini, the birthplace of
Lord Buddha, through the Gautam Buddha International Airport in Bhairahawa. However,
formal discussions are being made with China, Myanmar, Thailand and Sri Lanka
in the first phase.
Minister for Foreign Affairs of
Nepal, NP Saud and his Sri Lankan counterpart, M. U. M. Ali Sabry are leading
the delegation of their country to the meeting that will run untill Friday. The
Sri Lankan delegation led by it's Foreign Minister Sabry arrived Kathmandu on
Wednesday.
Two Ministers shared about the serious impacts of climate
change faced by the respective country. They emphasized the need of climate
justice, early operationalization of loss and damage fund, and more
international support to combat the impacts of climate change in countries like
Nepal and Sri Lanka.
The two countries also signed a Memorandum of Understanding
(MoU) on Cooperation in the Field of Science, Technology and Innovation. The Ministry
of Education, Science and Technology of Nepal and the Ministry of Education of
Sri Lanka signed and exchanged the MoU at the meeting.
Likewise, the two ministers exchanged thoughts on the
possibility of transferring the three Nepali nationals imprisoned in Sri Lanka.
They also discussed about the exchanges in culture, tourism and education
sectors, regional cooperation including strengthening SAARC (South Asian
Association for Regional Cooperation) and BIMSTEC processes, and cooperation in
multilateral forums.
Nepali delegation to the meeting includes Foreign Secretary
Sewa Lamsal, Ambassador of Nepal to Sri Lanka Basudev Mishra, and senior
officials from ministries of Commerce, Home and Foreign Affairs.
Sri Lanka delegation includes Ambassador of Sri Lanka in
Kathmandu Sudarshana Pathirana and senior officials of their Foreign Ministry.
Earlier today, Foreign Minister of
Sri Lanka paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’
at his office in Singha Durbar. On the occasion, discussions were held on
matters of mutual interest between Nepal and Sri Lanka, the MoFA said in a
statement.
During the visit, the Minister
Sabry is also scheduled to pay courtesy calls on President of Nepal, Ramchandra
Poudel and Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda, the MoFA said.
The Foreign Minister of Sri Lanka
will leave Kathmandu for Colombo on Saturday, December 23.
Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 22 December 2023.
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