Presidents discuss peace process, SAARC

(Updated III, 1837 NST, 1252 GMT)



KATHMANDU, March 2: Visiting Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa paid courtesy call to president Dr Ram Baran Yadav at Presidential Palace in Shital Niwas on Monday afternoon. During a 20-minute meeting, the presidents discussed current situation of both the countries as well as the issues of SAARC region. [break]



According to Rajendra Dahal, press adviser to President Yadav, the Sri Lankan president was curious to learn about Nepal’s peace process and development of Lunbini, among other things. President Dr Yadav informed his Sri Lankan counter part about Nepal’s ongoing peace process and also hoped that Sri Lanka would return to peace soon.



The two presidents also discussed bolstering close ties between the two countries. “There are 40,000 Sri Lankan tourists coming every year to Nepal and the number can increase if there is direct flight to Kathmandu from Colombo,” said Dahal, referring to the issues discussed by the presidents, adding, “There are more than 200 Sri Lankan students studying medicine in Nepal and many Nepalis are studying Buddhism in Sri Lanka.”



Both the presidents are scheduled to address a banquet at Soaltee Hotel Monday evening.



Traffic movement will be prohibited from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. along the route from Maharajgunj to Lainchaur, Lazimpat, Jamal, Tripureshwar to Soaltee Hotel. Therefore, Metropolitan Traffic Police Division, Ramshahpath has requested all commuters to take an alternative route during that period.






Rajapaksa, as the first foreign head of state to visit Nepal since centuries-old monarchy was abolished last year, is here on a three-day visit to Nepal at the invitation of President Dr Yadav.



The Sri Lankan President, who currently holds the chairmanship of the South Asian regional bloc, SAARC, is scheduled to visit Lumbini, the birthplace of Lord Buddha, Tuesday. He is also visiting some Buddhist shrines in Kathmandu.



During Rajapaksa´s visit, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, officials of both the countries are set to sign on agreements about resuming direct flights between Kathmandu and Colombo and on setting up a joint commission for educational, cultural and agricultural cooperation.