Nepal and Sri Lanka’s longstanding Buddhist and cultural ties were highlighted at a World Children’s Day Celebration 2026 in Colombo, where Nepal’s Chargé d’Affaires a.i. Vijay Kumar Raut called for stronger cooperation to protect children and create greater opportunities for their future.
Raut participated as a Special Guest at the programme organised by the All Ceylon Buddhist Congress (ACBC) at the Sirimavo Bandaranaike Memorial Exhibition Centre in Colombo on October 3, 2026. The event combined humanitarian support with a celebration of children, featuring an educational scholarship distribution ceremony and an artificial limb donation initiative aimed at supporting children facing economic hardship and physical challenges.
Nepal-Sri Lanka Buddhist Connection Highlighted
Addressing the gathering, Raut underscored the deep Buddhist relationship between Nepal and Sri Lanka, noting Nepal’s significance as the birthplace of Lord Buddha at Lumbini. He also commended the All Ceylon Buddhist Congress for its more than a century of service to children, the Dhamma and humanity. He said the organisation’s continued work demonstrates the importance of translating humanitarian and Buddhist values into practical support for communities and children. The programme brought together representatives from the Buddhist community, donors, educators, parents and other stakeholders committed to improving children’s welfare.
Climate Change Puts Children at Greater Risk
Raut also drew attention to the growing challenges faced by children living in communities vulnerable to climate change. Referring to remarks made by Nepalese Prime Minister Balendra Shah at the 81st United Nations General Assembly on September 24, he highlighted Nepal’s call for greater international attention to children living in climate-vulnerable areas. Children are often among those most affected by disasters, particularly in communities where access to education, healthcare and essential services is already limited. Raut stressed the need for stronger international cooperation to ensure that climate-related disasters do not permanently undermine children’s futures.
Bhotekoshi-Trishuli Flood Recalled
Raut recalled the devastating Bhotekoshi-Trishuli flash flood in Rasuwa, Nepal, on August 26, 2026, which claimed more than 1,450 lives, including children. The disaster, he said, underscored the vulnerability of communities to increasingly severe climate-related events and the need to place children at the centre of humanitarian preparedness and response. He emphasised that protecting children requires more than immediate relief and that affected children should also receive opportunities to continue their education, regain stability and rebuild their aspirations following disasters.
Scholarships and Artificial Limbs Offer New Hope
Highlighting the significance of the initiatives launched through the programme, Raut said educational scholarships and artificial limb support can have a lasting impact on children’s lives. He described a scholarship as giving a child “a pen instead of poverty,” while an artificial limb can help restore the ability to walk, play, attend school and dream of a better future.
Raut linked these practical forms of humanitarian assistance with the Buddhist principle of “Metta,” or loving-kindness, describing the initiatives as “Metta in action.” He said supporting children through education and rehabilitation reflects a shared responsibility to ensure that every child has the opportunity to develop their potential regardless of their economic or physical circumstances.
Appreciation for Donors and Supporters
The Embassy of Nepal expressed appreciation to the President and members of the All Ceylon Buddhist Congress, Cargills Bank, donors, teachers and parents who contributed to the programme. Their collective efforts helped provide educational and rehabilitation support to children and create opportunities for them to pursue a better future. The Embassy recognised the contribution of the organisations and individuals involved in making the initiatives possible and encouraged continued cooperation in child-focused humanitarian programmes.
Nepal-Sri Lanka Buddhist Scholarship Exchange Proposed
The programme also provided an opportunity to explore new avenues of cooperation between Nepal and Sri Lanka. The possibility of establishing a Nepal–Sri Lanka Buddhist Children Scholarship Exchange was proposed during the event. Such an initiative could create opportunities for greater cooperation between Buddhist organisations and child-focused institutions in both countries. The proposed exchange could also strengthen people-to-people ties between Nepal and Sri Lanka while connecting their shared Buddhist heritage with contemporary efforts to support children and education.
Embassy Reaffirms Commitment to Child Welfare
The Embassy of Nepal reaffirmed its willingness to work with the All Ceylon Buddhist Congress, Sri Lankan Buddhist organisations and members of the diplomatic community to strengthen initiatives aimed at protecting and empowering children. The Embassy said cooperation in education, humanitarian assistance and child welfare can further strengthen the longstanding relationship between Nepal and Sri Lanka.
The World Children’s Day programme also highlighted a broader shared responsibility to protect children as the future custodians of the region’s mountains, wetlands and oceans. The event served as a reminder that the Buddhist bonds between Nepal and Sri Lanka extend beyond cultural and religious heritage, providing a foundation for practical cooperation in education, humanitarian assistance, environmental resilience and the protection of children.
