NEW DELHI, Apr 29: The Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has expressed deep empathy and concern about the on-going COVID-19 situation in India, according to the Indian High Commission in Colombo,
In a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday, the Sri Lankan President said the Buddhist clergy in Sri Lanka planned to compassionately recite the ‘Rathna Sutra’ for the citizens of India. Since time immemorial, humanity’s concerted efforts have succeeded in resolving such pandemics, the President said. He also expressed optimism that India would address the crisis effectively with the help of committed experts and professionals.
The President also expressed deep gratitude on behalf of the people of Sri Lanka for the initial gift of 5,00,000 doses of COVID-19 vaccines produced in India, which allowed the government of Sri Lanka to initiate the first vaccination programme ahead of schedule.
NEPAL
Nepal has advised the foreign travellers including from India not to use Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) in Kathmandu as a transit halt for travelling to a third country.
According to a notification issued on April 26 by the Department of Immigration and the Ministry of Health and Population of the Government of Nepal, the arrival of foreigners intending to travel to third countries via TIA will be restricted from Wednesday. The on-going services given to travellers arriving in Nepal as a final destination and departing from Nepal will continue as usual.”
Indian nationals have also advised to avoid travelling to Nepal for the purpose of continuing on to other countries.
(Venkatesh Iyer)