Sri Lanka, Nepal to further expand relations

Foreign Minister of Nepal Dr. Narayan Khadaka paid a courtesy call on Minister of Foreign Affairs Prof.G.L.Peiris on March 30, on the sidelines of the BIMSTEC Summit in Colombo. During the discussion, the Foreign Ministers of the two countries expressed satisfaction over the ever-growing two-way bond and discussed avenues to further strengthen political, economic and cultural relations.

© Getty Sri Lanka's Foreign Minister Gamini Lakshman Peiris attends the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) summit in Colombo on March 29, 2022.

Foreign Minister Prof. Peiris acknowledged with appreciation the principled position maintained by Nepal in respect of Sri Lanka in the United Nations Human Right Council and the solidarity demonstrated towards Sri Lanka at the 49th Session of the Human Rights Council in Geneva held in March 2022.

Foreign Minister Peiris also noted that the establishment of direct flights between Colombo and Kathmandu was a significant move aimed at enhancing air connectivity as it would pave the way for augmenting cooperation in the field of trade and tourism.

Foreign Minister Prof. Peiris also highlighted the importance of regular high-level exchanges of trade chambers and business entrepreneurs of both countries to identify new business opportunities particularly in the tourism, education, power and energy sectors including hydro power.

The two Foreign Ministers agreed to convene the inaugural session of the Joint Commission (JC) between Sri Lanka and Nepal on 30-31 May 2022 in Colombo which provides a structured platform to review bilateral interests and ongoing programmes in the political, economic, education and cultural areas.

Prof. Peris also underscored Sri Lanka’s continued commitment to developing Lumbini as a place of pilgrimage and Buddhist heritage since Buddhism invigorates a sense of goodwill towards each other.