Foreign Minister Bimala Rai Paudyal is travelling to Sri Lanka on a four-day visit starting February 2 at the invitation of her Sri Lankan counterpart, Ali Sabry. Colombo would be Paudyal’s first foreign destination since she took office on January 17.

Sabry invited her to attend a special celebration on February 4 that will mark Sri Lanka’s 75th anniversary of independence from British colonial rule.

Paudyal confirmed her Sri Lanka visit to the Post.

She received the invitation on Sunday, according to the ministry of foreign affairs. “If everything goes as planned, Minister Paudyal will travel to Sri Lanka on February 2,” the source told the Post, wishing not to be named.

Nilusha Dilmimi, chargé d'affaires of the Sri Lankan Embassy in Kathmandu, reached the ministry of foreign affairs to hand over the invitation to the minister.

“Nilusha Dilmini, Cd’A of the Embassy of Sri Lanka, called on Foreign Minister Paudyal today. She handed over a letter of invitation from Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Sabray to attend the 75th Independence Day functions in Colombo as an honoured guest,” Nepal’s foreign ministry said on Sunday.

Dignitaries from various countries have been invited to attend the special ceremony on February 4, according to Sri Lankan media.

According to officials privy to the development, Paudyal will hold high-level meetings during her four-day stay in the South Asian country.