RUZAIK FAROOK
JAFFNA — The Embassy of Nepal in Colombo, in collaboration with The Management Club (TMC) Jaffna, successfully organized “Nepal-Jaffna Engagement: Diplomatic Mission Explores Development Collaboration” at Jetwing Jaffna on Tuesday, 7th July 2026.
The event was held with the objective of deepening people-to-people connections and exploring new avenues of cooperation between Nepal and the Northern Province of Sri Lanka. The program was attended by business leaders, tourism entrepreneurs, artisans, religious leaders, academics, and representatives from civil society in Jaffna.
The Chargé d’Affaires, Vijay Kumar Raut addressed the gathering and highlighted Nepal’s unique tourism offerings and trade opportunities. He emphasized Nepal’s strengths in spiritual tourism, wellness, mountains, adventure, heritage, technology, innovation and energy, and invited Sri Lankans to experience Nepal beyond Kathmandu and Lumbini.
Chairman of Northern Tourism and Promotions, Dr Vivekanandan, spoke on the potential and opportunities in the Northern Provincial Tourism. He also focused on the various things that Nepal can offer and also what can attract the Nepalese visitors to the Northern Province.
After the speeches, an engaging and interactive Q&A session was held where the CDA responded to queries from participants. Key areas of discussion included:
a. Tourism: Promoting two-way tourism and packaging Nepal’s mountains with Sri Lanka’s sea-coastal tourism.
b. Trade & SME: Opportunities for bilateral trade and collaboration between Nepali and Jaffna-based Artisans and SMEs.
C. Visa Facilities: Facilitation of visa processes for tourists, pilgrims and business travelers.
d. People-to-People Connection: Strengthening cultural, educational and religious exchanges rooted in shared Buddhist and Hindu heritage.
e. Spiritual and Wellness: Positioning Nepal as a destination for meditation, yoga, wellness and pilgrimage tourism.
At the end, as a gesture of goodwill and friendship, a “Token of Love” was presented by the Embassy of Nepal to TMC Jaffna. The token symbolized the Embassy’s appreciation for the warm hospitality of the people of Jaffna and the commitment to building lasting partnerships.
The speakers from TMC Jaffna welcomed the initiative and expressed interest in joint tourism promotion, artisan exchange programs, and business networking between Nepal and Northern Sri Lanka. Participants noted the vast potential for collaboration in heritage tourism, wellness, and cultural industries.
The Embassy reaffirms its commitment to taking Nepal-Sri Lanka relations beyond Colombo and to building stronger bridges with all provinces of Sri Lanka.
