A group of 73 Sri Lankan pilgrims currently stationed at the India–Nepal border is preparing to leave Nepal after completing their visit to the sacred city of Lumbini.
The group had travelled by road from India and encountered delays at the border due to a technical malfunction in Nepal’s immigration system.
Officials from the Sri Lankan Embassy in Kathmandu engaged directly with Nepalese immigration authorities to expedite the departure process.
“The Embassy is actively working to ensure a smooth exit for the pilgrims despite the system issues. Our officials are on the ground supporting the group,” said Thushara Rodrigo, Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
In a related development, the Nepal Army has taken control of the situation in the area and issued an official directive for the public to remain indoors. According to the Sri Lankan Embassy, the local population appears to be cooperating with the order.
No disruptions or safety concerns for the Sri Lankan nationals have been reported so far.
In Nepal, protests against the short-lived social media ban and corruption continued for the third consecutive day on Wednesday, with mobs setting government buildings and politicians' homes on fire. Some leaders, including the Himalayan nation's former Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba, were attacked as protestors set the country's parliament on fire. Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli resigned amid widening criticism of the country's political elite. The president accepted the resignation and appointed Oli to lead a caretaker government until a new one is in place — though it was unclear what power he would wield or even where he was.
