Plans to develop Lumbini as a major visitor and pilgrim destination n in South Asia featured prominently the bi-lateral discussions between Sri Lanka President Mahinda Rajapaksa and the Prime Minister of Nepal, Girija Prasad Koirala at the Presidential Secretariat today.

This was the first bi-lateral meeting between the Sri Lankan President and a Head of Government who has arrived in Sri Lanka for the 15th SAARC Summit.

President Mahinda Rajapaksa recalled that as a Member of Parliament he was the first to propose Sri Lanka’s participation in the development of Lumbini, the birthplace of the Buddha, as an important pilgrim center for Buddhists.

The discussion covered opportunities for developing tourism between Sri Lanka and Nepal , and also within the South Asian Region, and the Nepali PM said that the Lumbini Airport as now under development and once this was complete it would add to the opportunities of increased tourism.

With regard to the current crisis in Sri Lanka President Rajapaksa said he was awaiting the further report of the All Party Representative Conference (APRC) on the search for a final political solution. There was agreement on both sides on the need for peace and stability within the region, and on the shared commitment of Nepal and Sri Lanka to democracy and Pluralism, and against terrorism.

The Sri Lankan delegation at the talks comprised of Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama, Engineering and Construction Minister Rajitha Senaratne, Religious Affairs and Moral upliftment Minister Pandu Bandaranaike, Secretary to the Treasury Dr. P. B. Jayasundara, Foreign Secretary Palitha Kohona, Sri Lankan High Commissioner to Nepal Sumith Nakandala and Secretary to the President Lalith Weeratunga.

The Nepal delegation comprised of Finance Minister Dr. Ram Sharan Mahat, Foreign Secretary Gayan Chandra Acharya, Ambassador of Nepal to Sri Lanka, Durga Prasad Bhattarai and other high officials.