By Janaka Alahapperuma

President Mahinda Rajapaksa met Sri Lankan community live in Kathmandu on the first day of his two day official visit to Nepal on 29th October. President also held a meeting with former Prime Minister and Chairman of the Unified Communist Party (Maoist) Mr Pushpa Kamal Dahal at Soaltee Crowne Plaza Hotel in Kathmandu.

On his arrival at the Tribuwan International Airport in Nepal, President and First Lady Shiranthi Rajapaksa were warmly welcomed by Ms.Sunetra Koirala Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs of Nepal.

Welcome banners were displayed at Kathmandu City and people gathered along the road to greet the Sri Lankan President. Seventy member Sri Lankan delegation included Buddhist monks, few ministers, government officials and security personnel. President Rajapaksa will hold bilateral discussions with Nepali President Dr Ram Baran Yadav and Prime Minister Madhav Kumar.

President is also scheduled to visit Lumbini, the Birth place of Gauthama Buddha and inaugurate a new Buddhist Temple built by the Sri Lankan government. Meanwhile local authorities in Lumbini have maintained high security check points around the Holy place and Buddhist pilgrims and tourists are restricted from entering the area for security reasons.