SL and Bhutan:

Bilateral discussion on better air connectivity

Sri Lanka and Bhutan discussed the possibility of direct air connectivity between the two Buddhist nations, during the bilaterals held in Colombo last week.

Visiting Bhutanese prime Minister Tshering Tobgay has emphasised on the importance of better connectivity between the countries, given their Buddhist heritage that could be fostered, if people had better access to the two Buddhist lands.

Sri Lanka and Bhutan signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on April 10, following bilateral discussions between President Maithripala Sirisena and the Prime Minister of Bhutan Lyonchhen Tshering Tobgay, who concludes a three-day visit to Sri Lanka today (12).

The Mou seeks to establish a mechanism at the Foreign Secretaries' level to hold consultations on an annual basis, alternately in Colombo and Thimphu and exchange views on bilateral matters and on regional and international issues of mutual interest. In addition, the MoU provides for establishing expert and working groups for consultations of specific issues by mutual consent of the parties in case so required, the President's Media said.

Chitranganee Wagiswara, Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs signed the MoU for Sri Lanka while Ambassador Sonam T. Rabgye, Acting Foreign Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Bhutan, signed the agreement for Bhutan.