Sri Lankan president arriving Monday

By Bhola B Rana

Kathmandu, 2 March: Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa arrives Monday for a three-day official visit—the first head to be the guest of the Maoist-led government.
Nepal and Sri Lanka will sign an agreement to begin direct air service between Kathmandu and Colombo.
A joint commission to be headed by foreign ministers of the two countries is being launched during the visit.
Rajapaksa arrives by a chartered flight of Sri Lanka Air.
In a break from tradition, President Dr Ram Baran Yadav will receive the visiting president at Sital Niwas and won’t go Tribhuvan International Airport to receiving the visiting president who will be welcomed at the airport by Foreign Minister Upendra Yadav,
Yadav returnd from Colombo Sunday after attending a conference of foreign ministers of SAARC member states.
Eight member states of the South Asian region adopted a resolution in the Sri Lankan capital to cooperate on combating terrorism.
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Five killed in Myagdi blaze

Kathmandu, 2 March: Five persons were killed in a forest fire in Myagdi Saturday, including four members of a family.
Mukti Prasad Gautam, 68, sons Shree Prasad, 33 Mahodatta, 17, daughter-in-law Parbati, 19, and Deumana, 36, were killed in a sudden fire as they were collecting wood.
Home ministry has asked people to be alert during the current prolonged dry spell an storm season.
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UN High Commission for Human Rights seeks explanation

Kathmandu, 2 March: UN High Commission for Human Rights in Nepal has asked government why recommendation on action against human rights violators haven’t been executed.
Nepal representative Richand Bennet told Annapurna Post ,” We’ve asked the government for an explanation.”
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Clashes in Rukum while collecting suggestions for a constitution.

Kathmandu, 2 March; Two dozen persons were injured in clashes at Khalanga in Rukum Sunday between YCL and representatives of political parties.
Three policemen were injured.
Police fired in the air to bring the situation under control.
Clashes broke out while a parliamentary team was collecting suggestions for a constitution.
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Dr Baburam Bhattarai says former king attempting to restore monarchy

By Bhola B Rana

Kathmandu, 2 March: Former King Gyanendra has gone to India to sell the concept of a ‘baby king’ to India, Finance Minister Dr Baburam Bhattarai told a public meeting in Sindhupalchowk Sunday.
“Gyanendra has gone to India to restore monarchy by making his grandson king,” Bhattarai said according to published reports.
The former king and Queen Komal are in India to attend a wedding if a relative.
The former king’s cousin has married a grandson of Nepali Congress and republican advocate Bharat Shumshere Rana in Madhya Pradesh.
The former king is expected to meet Indian leaders, including Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Sonia Gandhi and BJP leader Lal Krishna Advani in New Delhi before returning home in two weeks.
The couple is out of the country for the first time after a republic was declared.
Bhattarai charged the last king of the Shah dynasty is trying to restore monarchy for the second time in three days; he first leveled the charge in Gorkha.
Bhattarai hit out at Nepali Congress, CPN-UML, Girija Prasad Koirala and Mdhav Kumar Nepal.
“People who petitioned the king to restore them to power look upon Maoists as a ripe mango.
“Koirala [Girija] should go for an immediate treatment for jaundice,” the finance minister said.
”Because of other political parties in government, we haven’t succeeded in showing our work.
“Budget released by government hasn’t reached villages
“UML is in the coalition government and is involved in leg-pulling,” Bhattarai said.
The minister said a republic was born from the Maoist people’s war and not through a petition to the palace by the Congress; a republic has emerged not through obeisance of Madhav Kumar Nepal to the king, Aannapurna Post reports.
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10 killed in bus accident

Kathmandu, 2 March: Ten persons were killed Sunday when a bus fell off a mountain highway in Bhajang.
Six passengers were injured.
The bus was plying between Tamel, Bhajang, and Kanchanpur.
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TRADE, COMMERCE, ECONOMY

Kathmandu, 2 March: Nepal Airlines will resume thrice weekly flights between Kathmandu and Mumbai in April.
Flights were suspended two years ago because of aircraft shortage.
Nepal Airlines is chartering a Boeing 757 to extend international services.
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MEDIA GOOGLE

“Prachanda is leading a counterrevolution.”

(Matrika Prasad yadav, Annapurna Post, 2 March)
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