Direct flights linking Colombo and Kathmandu soon
Shirley WIJESINGHE
Direct flights linking Colombo and Kathmandu is expected to resume
shortly as a result of successful bilateral discussions between Foreign
Minister Rohitha Bogollagama and his Nepali counterpart Upendra Yadav
yesterday.
The Minister said the new air destination will benefit more than
45,000 Sri Lankan Buddhist pilgrims seeking air travel facilities to pay
homage at Lumbini. This will rise up to around 100,000 in the near
future.
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Nepali Foreign Minister Upendra Yadav called on Foreign
Minister Rohitha Bogollagama yesterday.
Picture by Sudath Malaweera. |
The Minister said the Nepali Foreign Minister had referred to
relationship between both countries which had been smooth for the last
60 years due to good understanding. It is a testimony to the excellent
foreign policy.
The Foreign Minister said the discussion mainly focused on three
basic factors.
The first was how historical-political relationship of both could be
made use of in the present situation. Secondly, they discussed the
matters related to investment and tourism of both countries. The final
factor was LTTE terrorism.
Minister Bogollagama appreciated the support received from the Nepali
Government to eradicate terrorism in Sri Lanka.
President Mahinda Rajapaksa's upcoming visit to Nepal at the
invitation of the Nepal Government was also discussed.
Addressing the media, Nepali Foreign Minister Upendra Yadav said both
their countries are linked spiritually by Buddhism.
The Nepal Foreign Minister also paid a courtesy call on President
Mahinda Rajapaksa at Temple Trees yesterday.
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Nepal is bordered to the north by the People's Republic of China, and
to the south, east, and west by India. Kathmandu, the nation's capital,
is its largest city.
Nepal is a country of highly diverse geography, culture, and
religions. The mountainous north contains eight of the world's 10
highest mountains, including the highest, Mount Everest.
The fertile and humid south is heavily urbanized. Although Hinduism
is practiced by a majority of the population, the nation also has a
strong Buddhist tradition, as the birthplace of Siddharta Gautama.
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