Foreign Ministers of Bangladesh, Bhutan and Nepal call on President

Bhutan Foreign Minister Tandi Dorji

Bangladesh Foreign Minister A.K. Abdul Momen

Nepal Foreign Minister Narayan Khadka

The Foreign Ministers of Bangladesh, Bhutan and Nepal who are in Sri Lanka to attend the BIMSTEC Summit called on President Gotabaya Rajapaksa at the President’s House yesterday.

President Rajapaksa thanked the Ministers for attending the fifth BIMSTEC Summit in Colombo.

The Ministers appreciated the President for hosting the summit in a grand manner and commended his address to the Summit. The Ministers also briefed the President about the impact the COVID-19 pandemic had on the economies of their respective countries.

Bhutanese Foreign Minister Dr. Tandi Dorji said that medical education in Sri Lanka is at a high level and requested that more students be given the opportunity to study medicine in the country. The President paid his special attention to the request made by the Minister to grant relief for visas issued annually to foreign students.

Bhutan is a country that is tending towards organic farming. Minister Dorji explained to the President its effectiveness.

Nepal’s Foreign Minister Dr. Narayan Khadka recalled 65-years of diplomatic relations between the two countries. Dr. Khadka pointed out the importance of encouraging cultural exchange between the two countries as countries with common, cultural and religious heritage, adding that Buddhist tourists can visit the country as it is open now for visitors.

President Rajapaksa expressed his pleasure over the economic progress achieved by Bangladesh to Foreign Minister of Bangladesh A.K. Abdul Momen. 

More than 50,000 Sri Lankans are employed in Bangladesh. The Minister commended their contribution to the country’s economic growth.

Secretary to the President Gamini Senarath and Principal Advisor to President Lalith Weeratunga were present.