Lumbini-Colombo air connection mooted at Nepal-Sri Lanka Joint Commission Meeting

The Nepal-Sri Lanka Joint Commission Meeting concluded in Kathmandu on Thursday (Dec.21).

The meeting was co-chaired by Foreign Minister NP Saud and his Sri Lankan counterpart Ali Sabry, who arrived in Kathmandu on Wednesday.

Both sides discussed matters relating to mutual interest as well as opening new vistas of cooperation, said officials.

The Nepali delegation comprised Foreign Minister Saud, Foreign Secretary Sewa Lamsal, Nepali Ambassador to Sri Lanka Basudev Mishra, and senior officials from ministries of commerce, home and foreign affairs.

Likewise, Sri Lankan Ambassador to Kathmandu Sudarshana Pathirana and senior foreign ministry officials of the country were in the Sri Lankan delegation.

According to Nepal’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, enhancing trade and investment, increasing air connectivity, exchange programmes in culture, tourism and education sectors, strengthening regional cooperation including SAARC and BIMSTEC processes and cooperation in multilateral forums are some of the major agenda items discussed during the meeting.

Stating that the operation of the Kathmandu-Colombo air connection is encouraging, the two sides also discussed the possibility of the air connection between Colombo and Lumbini.

The two ministers also exchanged their thoughts on the possibility of transferring the three Nepali nationals imprisoned in Sri Lanka, said the ministry.

Also, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on cooperation in the fields of science, technology and innovation will be signed later on Thursday, the ministry added. 

Source: Kathmandu Post

Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Ali Sabry and Nepali counterpart Narayan Prakash Saud