Lanka, Bhutan - Common challenge of climate change

Bhutan and Sri Lanka share common ideals, traditions and challenges, said Bhutan Prime Minister Lyonpo Jigmi Y Thinley. Among the challenges faced by the two countries were the pressing issues of climate change. While Bhutan faces the crisis of melting glaciers, Sri Lanka is facing the problems caused by the rise in sea levels and changes in weather patterns, he said.

The Bhutanese leader made these observations when he met President Mahinda Rajapaksa at the Presidential Secretariat yesterday. He congratulated Sri Lanka on the 60th anniversary of Independence, and said Sri Lanka had much reason for pride in the manner it has faced the challenges since independence; and the resilience and spirit of the Sri Lankan people that gave confidence of achieving peace soon. The Bhutanese leader thanked Sri Lanka for its assistance in education.

He briefed President Rajapaksa on the need to improve the standards of archaeology in Bhutan where the skills were limited. President Rajapaksa said assistance could be obtained from the Kelaniya University to set up an academic discipline on this subject in Bhutan.

The two leaders saw the need for continued friendship and cooperation between the two countries, and the Bhutanese leader invited a cultural troupe from Sri Lanka for the centennial of the establishment of the Bhutanese Monarchy, this November.

The Sri Lankan delegation comprised Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama, Cultural Affairs Minister Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena, Secretary to the President Lalith Weeratunga, Treasury Secretary Dr. P. B. Jayasundara, Sri Lankan High Commissioner to Bangladesh Romesh Jayasinghe, Foreign Secretary Palitha Kohona, Chief of Staff Gamini Senarath, Additional Secretary to the Foreign Ministry Prasad Kariyawasam and Coordinating Secretary to the President Sajin Vas Gunawardena.

The Bhutan delegation comprised Foreign Minister Lyonpo Ugyen Tshering, Ambassador to Sri Lanka Dasho Tshering Dorji and Chief of Protocol Pasang Wangdi.