COLOMBO ; The Embassy of Nepal in Colombo is organizing the Sagarmatha Programme on 29 May 2026 to promote Nepal’s mountain heritage, particularly Mount Everest, and to strengthen cultural and adventure tourism ties with Sri Lanka.
.Dr. Purna Bahadur Nepali, Ambassador of Nepal to Sri Lanka, presented his opening remarks, welcoming the distinguished participants (who are mountaineers, artists, tourism/hospitality agencies/consultants, and volunteers). The first Sri Lankan woman who summited Mount Everest, Jayanthi Kuru-Utumpala, shared powerful insights on respecting the Sherpa community, challenging gender stereotypes, and adopting a humble, nature first approach and principles to mountaineering. Dr. Mahesh Priyadharshana and adventurer and mountaineer Dimantha Thenuwara also highlighted the importance of pre-expedition training in Sri Lanka, including breathing techniques and hypoxia awareness, given the lower lung capacity observed among many Sri Lankans.
Participants from Sri Lanka and Nepal included Michele Thurairaja, Dimantha Thenuwara, Dr. Mahesh Priyadarshana, Shehara Silva, Sabana Poudel, Hubika Joshi, Brian Wimalasinghe, K. Veronica Mudalige, and Jayanthi Kuru-Utumpala.
Participants discussed promoting other base camps such as Annapurna, Makalu, and Manaslu, each offering unique biodiversity and cultural experiences. Artists proposed a group visual arts exhibition featuring Nepali and Sri Lankan artists, including works by Nepali artists (etching with Buddhist themes) and world-acclaimed photographer Dominic Sanzoni. Connections between Theravada Buddhism in Sri Lanka and Mahayana Buddhism in Nepal were explored, notably the shared reverence for Bodhisattva Tara, born by the avalokiteshvara bodhisattva, worshipped as Natha-deva in Sri Lanka. During the meeting the group agreed on the need for proper training, vetted Nepali travel agencies, and community-engaged tourism that respects local ecosystems and climate vulnerabilities.
Mr. Vijay Kumar Raut, Deputy Chief of Mission of the Embassy of Nepal, summarized the key outcomes of the programme planning meeting. He confirmed the formation of an organising committee with a Chair, Principal Advisor and other members, and the curation of art and photography exhibitions on 29 May 2026. He also noted the decision to prepare a demonstration from the Everest journey for public display. Mr. Raut concluded by thanking all participants for their contributions. He reaffirmed the Embassy’s commitment to making the Sagarmatha Programme a platform for genuine heart-to-heart connections between Nepal and Sri Lanka, blending adventure, culture, wellness, and environmental stewardship.
Steering Committee for Sagarmatha/Mount Everest Celebration for May 29 are:
Chair: Mr. Dimantha Thenuwara,
Principal Advisor: Ms Jayanthi Kuru-Utumpala
Members: Dr. Mahesh Priyadarshana, Michele Thurairaja, Shehara Silva, Sabana Poudel, Hubika Joshi, Brian Wimalasinghe, K. Veronica Mudalige, Jayanthi Kuru-Utumpala, Migma Sherpa, and DB Nepali (Representative of Save The Everest First).
The Embassy of Nepal is planning to collaborate with the Nepal Tourism Board for the same.
