KATHMANDU, March 11: The government has sacked Ramesh Raj Bastola from his position as government-appointed tourism promoter in Lisbon, Portugal for supporting the former king during a recent demonstration in Kathmandu.
The Ministry of Culture, Tourism, and Civil Aviation found his written explanation unsatisfactory and dismissed him as per a ministerial decision on March 10. In his statement, Bastola openly backed the monarchy, stating he did not wish to serve under what he called a ‘corrupt government.’
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A statement issued by the Ministry's Information Officer Gokarna Prasad Upadhyay said that since the explanation he submitted was not satisfactory, he was removed from his position as a tourism promoter as per a ministerial-level decision dated March 10, 2025.
In his statement submitted to the government on Sunday, he said, “Constitutional monarchy and multi-party democracy are the current needs in the country. I am a supporter of the monarchy in the country. If you have any objections to my support for the king and religion, you may keep the post for yourself.
However, once the monarchy is restored, I am willing to take the responsibility again. I no longer wish to hold this ceremonial position in your corrupt government. This is my explanation.”
