Colombo: Former President of Sri Lanka Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga paid a courtesy call on President Bidya Devi Bhandari, who is currently on a visit to Sri Lanka, at the Hotel Hilton in Colombo on Tuesday.

In the meeting, President Bhandari expressed her confidence that her visit will further strengthen the age-old friendly bilateral relations between the two countries, taking to a new height.

She expressed that the bilateral friendly ties and cooperation between the country of 'Highest Peak Mt Everest' and the country known as the 'Pearl of the East' was inspired by close social, cultural and religious level, adding that lord Buddha's philosophy and message have contributed a lot to establish people to people relations.

According to General Administration Minister Keshab Kumar Budhathoki, who is accompanying President Bhandari on the visit, President Bhandari shared that the rights of women and marginalised groups were protected by the constitution of Nepal and the government was working out to implement the constitution through elections.

On the occasion, former Sri Lankan President Kumaratunga said that the mutual trust and welfare between two countries were gradually increasing and Sri Lanka was always with Nepal for its welfare and development.