Sri Lanka, Nepal commemorate 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations

To commemorate the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Sri Lanka and Nepal, the Embassy of Sri Lanka in Nepal, together with the Buddhist Monastery Association of Lalitpur, organised a special program featuring several distinguished speakers at the Hotel Himalaya in Nepal on 19 December.

Nepal Vice President Nanda Bahadur Pun graced the occasion as the Chief Guest. The Most Ven. Maitri Thero - President of All Nepal Bhikku Association; Chiri Babu Maharjan - Mayor of Lalithpur; Shanker Das Bairagi - Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Napal; Sri Lankan Ambassador to Nepal Swarna Perera; Naresh Man Badracharya - Vice Chancellor of the Lumbini Buddhist University and Pushpa Rathna Shakya - President of the Buddhist Monastery Association of Lalitpur were the speakers at this program. 

Over 150 guests, including Foreign Ministry officials, members of the diplomatic corps, academics, Buddhist scholars, representatives of international organisations, journalists, businessmen and members of the Sri Lankan community were present at the program.

Speaking at the occasion, the Most Ven. Maitri Thero briefed the gathering on how Buddhism was introduced in Nepal by Sri Lanka. The Vice Chancellor of the Lumbini Buddhist University underscored the importance of cooperation between Buddhist educational institutions in Nepal and Sri Lanka in order to further strengthen religious ties.

Ambassador Perera spoke about relations between Sri Lanka and Nepal focusing on the past 60 years. 

While congratulating the event’s organisers on successfully conducting the program, the Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Nepal Bairagi said that the friendship between both countries could be further developed in the future and added that these relations were not only limited to bilateral affairs, but Nepal and Sri Lanka also worked closely at regional forums such as the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) and the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) and multilateral forums. 

The event also saw performances by Sri Lankan and Nepali dances.

Sri Lankan delicacies were served to attendees at the end of the program.