Upon his arrival, the President was warmly welcomed by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Home Affairs, Mr. Bam Dev Gautam, at the VVIP Lounge at Tribhuvan International Airport. President was offered the guard of honour by Nepal Army. On the occasion, national anthems of both and Nepal and Sri Lanka were played.
Soon after arrival, President Rajapaksa departed for Lumbini, the birthplace of the Lord Buddha. At Lumbini, the President will participate in a number of activities that includes visiting the Maya Devi and Sri Lankaramaya Temples, the Buddhist University and the Dutugemunu Pilgrims Rest, among others.
The SAARC Summit will begin tomorrow (Nov. 26) when the inaugural session will take place. All heads of state of SAARC will also take part in the retreat in Dhulikhel on Thursday morning before attending the closing session that afternoon.
President Rajapaksa is also expected to hold bilateral meetings with heads of state who are participating in the 18th SAARC Summit.
Sri Lanka’s delegation accompanying President Rajapaksa includes Minister of External Affairs Prof. G.L. Peiris, Monitoring MP of the Ministry of External Affairs Mr. Sajin de Vass Gunawardena and Secretary to the Ministry of External Affairs Mrs. Kshenuka Senewiratne.
HC/IMUPS_Pix by: Sudath Silva
