KATHMANDU, Sept 3: A meeting between senior leader of the CPN-UML and former Prime Minister Jhalanath Khanal and former Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa was held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on Saturday. 

In the meeting held on the sidelines of the ongoing International Conference of Asian Political Parties (ICAP), Former Sri Lankan President Rajapaksa shared his concerns about the development of the Lumbini Area as well as the efforts made during his tenure to further consolidate the relationship between Nepal and Sri Lanka. 

According to leader Khanal's personal secretary Krishna Bhattarai, Khanal spoke of the need to establish a direct connectivity between the two countries. 

Both leaders were of the view that the countries like Nepal and Sri Lanka ought to take the lead to enable environment for collaboration among the South Asian countries. 

Khanal was accompanied by Nepali Ambassador to Malaysia Niranjanman Singh Basnyat and Khanal's advisor on international affairs Yogendra Shahi. 

Earlier today, Khanal also held meetings with ICAP leadership as well as former President of Bangladesh Hussein Muhammad Ershad, Chairperson of Japanese Communist Party Kazuo Shii and talked on the issues of mutual benefits. 

Nepali Congress leader and former Deputy Prime Minister Sujata Koirala, CPN-Maoist Center leader Narayankaji Shrestha are also taking part in the conference that will continue till September 4. RSS