News
Lankan ambassador calls on Nepal’s new FM
Sri Lankan Ambassador to Nepal Himalee Arunatilaka called on the country’s newly appointed Foreign Minister Dr. Narayan Khadka with a message of felicitations from the Foreign Minister of Sri Lanka Prof. G.L. Peiris on 06 October 2021 at the Foreign Ministry.
In his congratulatory message, Minister Peiris recalled the centuries old connections between the two countries with deep rooted cultural and religious ties.
Minister Khadka conveyed his sincere appreciation to Prof. Peiris and underlined the longstanding friendship between the two countries. He also thanked Sri Lanka for its assistance in the reconstruction of two temples damaged in the 2015 earthquake.
Bilateral cooperation within regional and international fora and business collaborations to promote trade and investment were also discussed. Ambassador Arunatilaka recalled the constructive engagement between the private sectors of Sri Lanka and Nepal in recent months, particularly in the areas of construction, tourism, hydropower and gem and jewellery as being noteworthy developments to enhance economic relations.
Minister Khadka appreciated the efforts taken to restore direct air connectivity between Colombo and Kathmandu and noted that the direct flight operated by SriLankan Airlines would help to promote tourism and trade. He underlined that historical Buddhist ties between the two countries provide incentive for greater people to people exchanges and increased tourism, while Lumbini was of particular significance in this regard.
Joint Secretary, South Asia Division of Nepal’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs Tirtha Raj Wagle and Counsellor of the Sri Lankan Embassy Nilusha Dilmini were associated at the meeting.
News
Establishment of an Institutional Framework to Inagurate Upper Hydro Catchment Areas Management Authority
Policy approval of the Cabinet of Ministers was granted at their meeting held on 08.06.2026 to establish the Upper Hydro Catchment Areas Management Authority for identification and
execution of a formal and long – lasting remedy to secure the central hills including the upper hydro catchment areas enabling them to sustain amidst extreme weather conditions
due to natural calamities and human activities as well as to be used for the sustainable development of the country.
Accordingly, a concept paper has been prepared including
institutional structure, activities, powers, active subject area as well as administrative and coordination mechanism for the proposed authority by an expert technical committee appointed by the Secretary to the President.
Based on the said concept paper, the Cabinet of Ministers granted approval to the resolution furnished by the President to instruct the Legal Draftsman to prepare a draft bill including legal provisions required for the establishment of Upper Hydro Catchment Areas Management Authority.
News
Introduction of Flora and Fauna (Regulation of actions of the Indigenous Community within the nominated areas) Regulations
With the objective of securing the traditional livelihood and the eco system of the indigenous community, it has been recognized the necessity of introducing a formal regulation methodology to secure their engagement in livelihood activities by being more sensitive to the existing laws.
Thereby, the Fauna and Flora (regularizing) regulations under the Fauna and Flora Protection Ordinance (Authority 469) have been prepared so that nominated activities within the prescribed area to a member of the indigenous community
who has been registered for securing the rights acquired from law or custom or usage or traditional stance to execute an act within a certain state land that is fundamental to the survival of the indigenous community permission can be granted
Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers granted approval to the resolution furnished by the Minister of Environment to publish the said regulations in the government gazette notification and thereby submit to the Parliament for its concurrence.
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