Kathmandu, July 3:

Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama today wrapped up his three-day visit, promising to encourage Sri Lankan business tycoons to invest in Nepal.

“I will encourage Sri Lankan investors to invest in the hospitality industry in Lumbini, urban development, education and tourism sectors,” said Bogollagama. He said officials of the two countries are meeting in Colombo on July 16 and 17 to discuss air service between Kathmandu and Colombo.

The minister also said that his government was ready to assist Nepal in excavation and infrastructure development in Kapilbastu. He also said that Sri Lankan President Mahindra Rajpakse is scheduled to visit Nepal on “ritually convenient” dates.

He also said there was no connection between the Maoists in Nepal and Sri Lanka’s Liberation of Tamil Tiger Eelam (LTTE).