Sri Lankan Ambassador Visits Lumbini

Lumbini, January 6, 2024: The Sri Lankan Ambassador to Nepal, His Excellency Sudarshana Pathirana, was warmly welcomed by the Lumbini Development Trust. Dr. Lhakyal Lama (Khenpo Chime), the Vice-Chairman of the Trust, engaged in a discussion with the ambassador regarding the development of Lumbini and pilgrimage tourism.

Vice-Chairman Dr. Lama encouraged the ambassador to explore the possibility of operating international flights from the Bhairahawa International Airport to enhance tourist, religious, and historical development in Lumbini. He stressed that direct flights from Sri Lanka, being a Buddhist nation, would facilitate pilgrims in visiting this sacred site. The ambassador, a former Air Chief Marshal, expressed his commitment to establishing regular flights from Sri Lanka to the Gautam Buddha International Airport.

He underscored the interest of numerous Sri Lankans in visiting the sacred site of Lumbini and proposed immediate collaboration to facilitate their travel. During the discussion, the ambassador and Vice-Chairman Dr. Lama also discussed potential cooperation in the religious, cultural, and tourist development, conservation, and economic aspects of Lumbini.

On Saturday, the ambassador paid a visit to the Mayadevi Temple in Lumbini, the birthplace of Buddha. LDT officials, including Sanuraja Shakya, Project Chief Saroj Bhattarai, Executive Member Shyam Roka, and others, extended a warm welcome to the ambassador at Lumbini. Dr. Hari D. Rai, Information Chief, briefed the ambassador on the significance of Lumbini and its recent developments. The ambassador expressed his appreciation for the LDT's plans and mentioned that he would also visit the Gautam Buddha International Airport in Bhairahawa to gain more insights about it.