Sundarijal, January 14:

Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Prithivi Subba Gurung today said that the Lukla airport in Solukhumbu district would be named as Hillary-Tenzing Airport.

Speaking at a function organised by the Sherpa Sews Kendra in honour of the first co-summiteer to Mt Everest, he said Hillary made Nepal world famous and added that he would also make efforts to declare a holiday in memory of late Sir Hillary.

Sir Edmund Hillary died on January 11, 2008 at the age of 88 in New Zealand.

Awatari Lama of the Tenboche Monastery in Sagarmatha said that Hillary had contributed to the educational, social and economic development of Sagarmatha region and described him as a dear friend of the Nepalis and specially the Sherpas.

Various other speakers highlighted his contribution to the development of Solukhumbu district.