Minister for Foreign Affairs, Dr Bimala Rai Paudyal, has returned home today wrapping up Sri Lanka visit. Foreign Minister Paudyal had left for Sri Lanka on February 2 to attend the 75th Independence Day of Sri Lanka. She held different high-level meetings during her stay in Sri Lanka. Talking to RSS upon her arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport today, Minister Paudyal shared that she attended the official programmes of Sri Lanka and held high-level sideline meetings during her visit. The Foreign Minister paid courtesy call on President of Sri Lanka, Ranil Wickremesinghe. Sharing that they discussed the various issues of mutual interests and cooperation between the two countries, Foreign Minister Paudyal said, “Various issues including expand air connectivity from Sri Lanka to Gautam Buddha International Airport, exchange cultural ties and advance cooperation for studies of Buddhist philosophy in Nepal were discussed.” Foreign Minister Paudyal further said she clearly put forth her views regarding making SAARC activities dynamic and holding mutual discussion. Minister Paudyal also held separate meetings with Sri Lankan Prime Minister, her counterpart of Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Maldives as well as Minister of State for External Affairs of India during her stay in Sri Lanka. She further said discussion was also held on the issue of holding online meeting of foreign secretaries of SAARC countries to make SAARC activities effective.
