KATHMANDU, Feb 5: Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Bimala Rai Paudyal paid a courtesy call on Sri Lanka’s President Ranil Wickramasinghe in Colombo on Saturday. Foreign Minister Paudyal is currently in Sri Lanka to attend the 75th independence day of Sri Lanka at the invitation of her Sri Lankan counterpart. During the meeting with the Sri Lankan president, Foreign Minister Paudyal discussed issues related to bilateral ties and mutual interest of the two countries.

Foreign Minister Paudyal also discussed about expansion of air service to Bhairahawa-based Gautam Buddha International Airport, cultural exchange and cooperation in study related to Buddhism.

During the visit, Foreign Minister Paudyal also held separate meetings with India’s state minister for foreign affairs as well as foreign ministers of Bangladesh and the Maldives. During the meetings, she stressed on the need of revitalizing the South Asian Association for Regional    Cooperation (SAARC).

She also paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister of Sri Lanka, Dinesh Gunawardena on Friday.

On the occasion, they discussed the various issues of mutual cooperation and collaboration between the two countries, according to the Foreign Ministry. 

Saying Nepal and Sri Lanka have been friends for a very long time, the Sri Lankan Prime Minister expressed commitment to move ahead with mutual cooperation.

Prior to this, Foreign Minister Paudyal met her Sri Lankan counterpart, MUM Ali Sabry. Minister Paudyal attended the special cultural event organised on the eve of the Independence Day on Friday itself. 

She attended the ceremony of hoisting the national flag and parade organised on the occasion of Independence Day of Sri Lanka on Saturday morning. 

Foreign Minister Paudyal will wrap up her visit and return home on Sunday.

 
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