Nepal, Lanka discuss Lumbini development

Sri Lanka and Nepal agreed yesterday to develop Lumbini as the most attractive and sacred tourist destination in the South Asia region during talks between the leaders of the two countries.

This was decided when Nepal’s Prime Minister, Girija Prasad Koirala who arrived in the island to take part in the 15th SAARC Summit met President Mahinda Rajapaksa yesterday at the Presidential Secretariat in Colombo.

This was the first bilateral between South Asian leaders on the sidelines of the Summit. President Rajapaksa pointed out that he had made this proposal many years ago when he was a Member of Parliament.

The Nepali leader briefed President Rajapaksa about the development of the Lumbini Airport and its importance in developing tourism in the area.