KATHMANDU, Dec 22: Nepal and Sri Lanka discussed operating direct flights between Lumbini and Colombo as part of strengthening connectivity between the two South Asian nations.

During the first meeting of the Nepal-Sri Lanka Joint Commission (JC) held in Kathmandu on Thursday, Foreign Minister Narayan Prakash Saud and his Sri Lankan counterpart, Mohammad Uvais Mohammad Ali Sabry, discussed the possibility of air connectivity between Colombo and Lumbini.

Senior government officials present at the meeting said that the Sri Lankan side responded positively to the request of Nepal to operate direct flights between Colombo and Gautam Buddha International Airport in Lumbini. “Although there has not been any concrete decision on this matter, both sides expressed willingness to make it happen anytime soon,” said an official, asking not to be named.

People following Buddhism account for more than 70 percent of the total population of Sri Lanka. Nepal believes that direct flights between Lumbini– the birthplace of Lord Buddha– and Colombo could significantly increase flow of people between the two countries, further bolstering bilateral relations between the two countries. 

Nepal and Sri Lanka had signed an Air Services Agreement (ASA) in March 2009 in Kathmandu to increase the flow of tourists to each other’s country through direct air connectivity between Kathmandu and Colombo. Currently, Sri Lankan Airlines operates direct flights between Kathmandu and Colombo. 

Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Mohammad Uvais Mohammad Ali Sabry is currently on a four-day visit to Nepal to attend the JC meeting. During the visit of the then President of Sri Lanka Mahinda Rajapaksa to Nepal in March 2009, Nepal and Sri Lanka signed an agreement on the establishment of a Joint Commission at the level of foreign ministers of both countries.

The Joint Commission looks after the areas of trade, finance, agriculture, industry and development of infrastructure, science and technology, investment and other areas mutually agreed upon.

The JC meeting on Thursday held discussions on various topics including a review of bilateral relations, enhancing trade and investment between the two countries, increasing air connectivity, promoting exchanges in the areas of tourism, culture and education. According to Foreign Minister Saud, they also focused on enhancing regional cooperation including strengthening the SAARC and BIMSTEC. Both Nepal and Sri Lanka are the founding members of SAARC and are also members of the BIMSTEC. 

Officials at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) said the two foreign ministers exchanged thoughts on the potential transfer of three Nepali nationals currently imprisoned in Sri Lanka. The issue of climate change also emerged as a crucial topic of discussion, with both ministers highlighting the serious impacts faced by their respective countries. They emphasized the importance of climate justice, the early operation of a loss and damage fund, and the need for increased international support.

A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on cooperation in the field of science, technology, and innovation was also signed on Thursday to further enhance collaboration between Nepal and Sri Lanka in these critical areas. The meeting signifies a comprehensive and forward-looking approach to bilateral relations, covering a range of issues crucial to the development and cooperation between the two nations.

During the meeting, the Nepali delegation led by Foreign Minister Saud included Foreign Secretary Sewa Lamsal, Nepal's Ambassador to Sri Lanka Basudev Mishra, and senior officials from the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies, the Ministry of Home Affairs, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. On the Sri Lankan side, the delegation led by Foreign Minister Mohammad Ali Sabry comprised Sudarshana Pathirana, the Sri Lankan Ambassador to Nepal and senior officials from the Sri Lankan foreign ministry.

 
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