Proposed ambassador to Sri Lanka, Bhattarai, withdraws name

KATHMANDU, Sept 24: The proposed ambassador to Sri Lanka, Ram Krishna Bhattarai, has withdrawn his name.

The chairperson of the Parliamentary Hearing Committee (PHC), Ishwari Devi Neupane, told Republica that Bhattarai has withdrawn his name. “He had requested us to give him the deadline of September 27 to submit his certificate, but we replied that this cannot be done.”

Earlier, the Parliamentary Hearing Committee (PHC) had requested him to present his Bachelor’s degree certificate, but he was unable to provide it.

The PHC meeting was scheduled for 3 PM on Tuesday, which is expected to take a decision regarding Bhattarai’s approval. Yesterday’s meeting of the PHC was also meant to finalize whether to endorse him, but it was adjourned to today due to the lack of a two-thirds majority needed to make a decision.

Chairperson Neupane said that today’s meeting will discuss more about this topic. 

The Cabinet meeting held on July 29 had recommended the appointment of ambassadors to 18 countries. Among them, the name of Kanta Rijal for Australia was not forwarded to the PHC by the government. 

After conducting hearings for 17 proposed individuals, the committee has already approved the names of 16 candidates.