Bhairahawa, August 29

The President of Myanmar Win Myint, who arrived in Kathmandu yesterday to participate in the fourth summit of the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation to be held on August 30 and 31, visited Lumbini, the birthplace of Lord Buddha, today.

Writing a note in the VVIP guest book after observing the holy place, the visiting dignitary conveyed his happiness at visiting the famed Buddhist pilgrimage site. “This is my first time visiting this place, the birthplace of the great preacher of peace, and I’m immensely happy to be here,” his note written in the visitors’ book reads.

The visiting guest also thanked UNESCO for contributing to the protection of the religious heritage, and made it a point to extend his thanks to the Government of Nepal, the people and Lumbini Development Fund.

Myint, whose was accompanied by his wife Cho Cho and 28 others, also worshipped in Lumbini, besides inaugurating a state-of-the-art Panditram Meditation Centre.

During the visit, we also briefed the visiting guest on the progress in the Lumbini Master Plan, said LDF information officer Rajan Basnet.

According to Federal Police Unit Office chief SSP Rajendra Dhakal, the team has returned to Kathmandu.

They were flown to the Bhairahawa-based Gautam Buddha Airport via a chartered flight of Buddha Airlines managed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Nepal. While the president and most distinguished guests were then flown to Lumbini in a chopper, others of the team were taken there via the road amidst tight security and escorting.

They flew back to Kathmandu today itself.