Nepal, Sri Lanka officials ink two MoUs

Kathmandu, September 1

Nepal and Sri Lanka today signed two memoranda of understanding during bilateral talks between President Bidhya Devi Bhandari and visiting Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena in Kathmandu.

The two agreements include MoU between Institute of Foreign Affairs of Nepal and Bandaranaike International Diplomatic Training Institute of Sri Lanka, and MoU between Nepal and Sri Lanka on Cooperation for Youth Development.

The two presidents witnessed the exchange of MoUs.

The first MoU was signed by Foreign Secretary Shanker Das Bairagi and Ambassador of Sri Lanka to Nepal WellageSwarnalathaParera, while the second MoU was signed by Ministry of Youth and Sports Secretary Mohan Krishna Sapkota and Ambassador Parera.

Following the talks and signing, President Bhandari hosted an official banquet in honour of visiting Sri Lankan President Sirisena this evening at ShitalNiwas.

President Sirisena, who reached Kathmandu on August 29 for the fourth summit of the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation, is also on a bilateral visit to Nepal.

Earlier in the day, Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli called on visiting Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena. The two leaders discussed bilateral relations and matters of mutual interest.

Oli congratulated Sirisena for the assumption of the chairmanship of the BIMSTEC, and hoped the sub-regional body would make further progress under Sri Lanka’s chairmanship.

Sirisena also congratulated Oli for successfully holding the fourth BIMSTEC summit and hoped that Nepal, having already served as BIMSTEC chair, would extend its cooperation to Sri Lanka for making BIMSTEC a success, according to government sources.

The two leaders also discussed matters related to the Buddhist Circuit and expressed commitment to the initiative to boost tourism. Oli said a direct Nepal-Sri Lanka flight could be operated from Gautam Buddha International Airport after its completion, the source added.

President Sirisena visited the birthplace of Lord Buddha in Lumbini earlier in the day. President Sirisena will return to Sri Lanka tomorrow.

Meanwhile, Chief Justice and Chief Adviser to the interim government of Bhutan TsheringWangchuk, who had arrived in Nepal for the fourth BIMSTEC summit on August 29, returned home today.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Health and Population UpendraYadav saw Wangchuk off at the VVIP Lounge of Tribhuvan International Airport.

High level officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs were also present on the occasion.