Nepal refutes Lankan mediator claims

NEPAL has refuted claims made by a Sri Lankan Minister that it had sought the island nation’s help to diffuse the ongoing political crisis in the Himalyan nation.

Sri Lankan External Affairs Minister GL Peiris had stated in Parliament on Wednesday that Nepal President Ram Baran Yadav had sought his Sri Lankan counterpart Mahinda Rajapaksa’s help.

He said that the request was made when both the Presidents had met last month in China on sidelines of the Shanghai Expo. “It is a baseless claim. No such request was made by the President during his meeting with the Sri Lankan President,” Rajendra Dahal, Press Advisor to President Ram Baran Yadav told HT.

He added that the Nepali Embassy in Sri Lanka had also issued a statement terming the claim as unsubstantiated. The fresh development comes amid growing resentment in Nepal against India’s alleged interference in the deadlocked prime ministerial poll. In July this year Rajapaksa has visited Malé to mediate in the crisis between the Maldives President and the opposition-controlled Parliament.

“President Rajapaksa is now being accepted not only as the leader of Sri Lanka but as a regional leader too,” Peiris was quoted by Sri Lankan media.

The Minister’s statement was widely reported in the island’s media as reflection of Rajapaksa’s growing stature both within Sri Lanka and outside. (Hindustantimes)