Foreign minister Poudyal flying to Colombo on Thursday

KATHMANDU: Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bimala Rai Paudyal, will embark on her first foreign trip to Sri Lanka, starting Thursday.

She will represent Nepal at Sri Lanka’s 75th Independence Day celebrations in Colombo. The cabinet meeting held on Monday approved her visit.

Acting Ambassador of Sri Lanka to Nepal, Nilusha Dilmini, met with Minister Poudel on Sunday and presented an invitation from Sri Lankan counterpart M.U.M. Ali Sabry. Upon receiving the invitation, Minister Poudel confirmed Nepal’s participation in the independence day celebrations.

Sri Lanka, amidst a severe economic crisis, is working to strengthen relationships with its donors and friendly nations.

Sri Lanka is celebrating its independence from British rule on February 4. As all foreign ministers from SAARC countries are expected to attend the celebrations, the possibility of reviving SAARC may be discussed during the celebrations.

Minister Paudyal is scheduled to have sideline discussions with foreign ministers from other countries, according to sources at the foreign ministry.