Two agreements signed during President Rajapaksa’s visit to Nepal

(March 04, Colombo, Sri lanka Guardian) President Mahinda Rajapaksa undertook a State Visit to Nepal from 2-4 March 2009 at the invitation of the President of Nepal Dr. Ram Baran Yadav. This visit was hailed as landmark in Nepal as it was the first by a Head of State or Government to Nepal since Nepal’s political transformation as a Republic. The visit was also undertaken in President Rajapaksa’s capacity as current Chairperson of SAARC.

President Rajapaksa was accorded full state honours on arrival in Kathmandu on 2 March by at an official welcome ceremony held at Rastrapati Bhawan. Following the official welcome ceremony, President Rajapaksa and President Dr. Ram Baran Yadav exchanged compliments and discussed the current political developments in Sri Lanka and Nepal including matters pertaining to strengthening cooperation between the two countries. Later in the day President Rajapaksa and delegation were hosted to a State Banquet by President Yadav.

Official bilateral talks were held between President Rajapaksa and Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ on 3 March. The talks covered a range of issues including a proposed Free Trade Agreement between the two countries, promotion of tourism, investment, trade in services, information technology, cultural relations and education.

Two important bilateral agreements on Air Services and the establishment of a Joint Commission between Sri Lanka and Nepal were signed during the visit by the Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama and Nepalese Cultural Minister Hisila Yammi. The two Agreements signed hold the potential to enhance cooperation between the two countries including increasing trade. The Ministerial level Joint Commission that will soon meet upon the signature of the Agreement will explore ways for the enhancement of economic, trade and cultural relations. The Bilateral Air Service Agreement will improve connectivity between the peoples of the two countries at all levels and also increase tourism. During the discussions between President Rajapaksa and Prime Minister Dahal, special reference was made to steps being taken by Sri Lanka towards the development of Lumbini and measures being taken to develop the monastery and pilgrims rest in Lumbini.

President Rajapaksa also held discussions with Vice President Parmananda Jha and the leader of the main opposition Party Girija Prasad Koirala.

President Rajapaksa also visited the historic Ananda Kuti Vihara in Kathmandu and attended a religious ceremony organized by the chief incumbent priest of the temple.

As Chairperson of SAARC, President Rajapaksa visited the SAARC Secretariat in Kathmandu on 3 March and met with Secretary General Dr Sheel Kant Sharma and the staff of the Secretariat. He also planted a sapling symbolizing his first visit to Nepal and to the SAARC Secretariat.

President Rajapaksa was accompanied on the State Visit by Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama, Minister of Export Development and International Trade, Prof. G.L.Peiris, Secretary to the President Lalith Weeratunga, Additional Foreign Secretary Prasad Kariyawasam and senior officials of the Foreign Ministry.
-Sri Lanka Guardian