Nepal confident of Lanka’s progress

Under strong leadership of President:

Nepalese President Dr. Ram Baran Yadav expressed confidence that given the strong leadership of the calibre of President Mahinda Rajapaksa Sri Lanka will soon achieve rapid economic and social progress.

He made this comment at a meeting with President Mahinda Rajapaksa during the latter’s official visit to the Himalayan kingdom.

Having appraised the Nepalese leaders of the current developments in the country in particular on the ongoing rehabilitation and re-construction process, President Rajapaksa reiterated that the resettlement of the Internally Displaced Persons has been and will be the priority of the Government of Sri Lanka.

The President said that the number of IDP’s has been brought down to 180,000 as of October 27, 2009 from the original figure of 280,000 as a result of the commitment and the well coordinated resettlement programs undertaken by the Government in collaboration with the UN according to international standards, states a Foreign Ministry Media release.

President Mahinda Rajapaksa added that the process will continue despite numerous hurdles including the demining in the affected areas. The President also said that there is gradual restoration of democracy and the resuscitation of institutions of representative democracy in the North as being done in the East.

While praising the dynamic leadership of President Rajapaksa, Nepalese President Dr. Ram Baran Yadav expressed his confidence that given the strong leadership of the calibre of President Rajapaksa, Sri Lanka will soon achieve rapid economic and social progress. President Rajapaksa welcomed a proposal made by the Nepalese President for a multi-party parliamentary delegation from Nepal to undertake a visit to Sri Lanka. President Yadav stressed that such a visit would help them seek advice directly from the President of Sri Lanka with regard to his experience in the post conflict developments including reconciliation and healing process.

During the bilateral discussion, Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal proposed to convene an international symposium with a view to generate international support for the development of Lumbini as a centre for worship for the Buddhists all over the world.

The Nepalese Prime Minister said that the visit of President Rajapaksa to Nepal generated a lot of interest in Nepal on Lumbini development and thanked him for his noble contribution towards the development of Lumbini as a sacred destination. The Nepalese Prime Minister stated that he is particularly proud to pursue this matter in his capacity as the patron of the Lumbini Development Trust. The two leaders also discussed on the enhancement of connectivity between the two countries and strengthening trade and investment promotion.

During his courtesy call on the Sri Lankan President, the former Prime Minister and UCPN-Maoist Chairman Puspha Kamal Dahal congratulated President Rajapaksa on the defeat of the LTTE. He added that with the restoration of peace and stability in the country, Sri Lanka will soon be heading towards greater prosperity.

Stating that education and healthcare systems in Sri Lanka are very well managed, the former Prime Minister expressed his desire to study those systems. The President responded to these comments on a positive note.

The Deputy Prime Minister and the Foreign Minister of Nepal Sujata Koirala also paid a courtesy call on the President.

The convening of the first Joint Commission between the two countries was also highlighted at the discussion. Nepalese side undertook to propose a set of dates for the convening of the Joint Commission to be held in Colombo.

The importance of convening the Foreign Minister level consultations between the two countries, in the form of a Joint Commission was decided when President Rajapaksa visited Nepal in March this year.

President Rajapaksa also during his visit travelled to Lumbini to pay homage to the birth place of the Lord Buddha. There, he declared open the Sri Lanka Monastery complex in Lumbini which is equipped with a library, museum, a research centre and residential facilities to residing Monks, Scholars etc.