Ayesh Ranawaka
The Adam’s bridge, also known as Ram Sethu, a gorgeous shallow hedge with limestone fragments located in between Rameshwaram India and Mannar island Sri Lanka, connecting our little island to its great sibling nation, India, has been enjoyed by both Sri Lankans as well as Indian nationals for a very long time. Though it has been declared as a boundary of Sri Lanka under the 1974 International Maritime Boundary line, alongside Kachchativu island, in an exchange of 4 nautical miles added to India’s limits, certain Indian politicians and organizations who believe that the Adam’s Bridge should be declared a National Heritage of India.
This is movement is perceived to fulfill certain unethical political agendas. We believe that the agendas should be for the benefit of the general population and uphold good international relations with the two countries.
As a result, the court has agreed to a hearing on the 9th of March, in order to discuss the above matter.
In an unbiased perception, this may seem quite unethical, jeopardizing the years-long use of the bridge in harmony between the Indians and Sri Lankans; especially since this claim is brought up purely based on ancient mythology, where there are no scientific facts or evidence. Dr. A. Ramaswami of Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA), an expert from India, had also informed during an earlier time, the Indian Supreme Court that this was a myth that could not be scientifically substantiated and that the criteria for designating it as a national heritage had not been met.
Additionally, this could result in a very dangerous situation for Sri Lanka.
Despite agreements made when the 1974 International Maritime Boundary Line demarcation, and Acts in reference to that in 1974/1976, we are still battling constant issues and conflicts with Indian fishermen illegally trespassing our borders and stealing the resources we have, even damaging the glorious limestone ridges underneath which is of immense value and has been an adoration of both our nationals as well as amongst many tourists.
A move to demarcate the Adam’s Bridge under the Indian heritage landmark, could only worsen this issue and lead to much bigger conflicts that would threaten the peace between the two nations as well, should it get out of hand.
Decades have passed since the regulations we implemented, we’ve had people protesting with boards and speakers for days after days, and still, we have not even inched closer to finding a solution for this.
This issue will keep pertaining unless the government takes the right steps and moves in the right direction with stern intentions.
Therefore, we INORA,(Institute of Ocean Resources Analysis ) passionate and dedicated to the Ocean (non-profit guarantee ltd company )request the government to ensure the responsible figures take necessary actions against this.
We urge the government to stand against these absurd claims and request the following;
1. Discuss this matter with the Indian Government without disturbing the beliefs and sentiments of the Indian people or,
2. Represent Sri Lanka in this court proceedings or,
3. File a case to justify our rights in line with international laws and regulations.
We legally own part of this 48km long section, and should this area be declared an Indian landmark, it could seriously impact a large portion of the boundary line belonging to us, which would be a crucial blow on our little island.
This is a significant demarcation for us, a wonderful tourist attraction, and it would be an utter tragedy to watch it fall back without a fight. Therefore, we urge the government, as well as the general public- both Sri Lankans and even Indian citizens who believe in fairness, equality, and justice, to come forth and take proper actions against this unethical movement.
This measure is definitely not an act against India or its people. This is solely a move of defense, to protect what is ours, in a fair and just manner. We do not wish to hinder our long-standing friendship with our brother country. We respect their beliefs in the myths. Our goal is to protect the best interests of both countries which have been carrying on a healthy international relationship .
Buddhist1 / March 1, 2022
The correct question to be asked is – does Heritage means ownership? Heritage in one sense is ownership in another it’s a historic or cultural tradition. In actual fact, even Buddhism is an Indian Heritage. Is Sri Lanka going to fight against it? NO. So most importantly all Sri Lanka has to ensure is that the land or sea area which is inside the territorial waters belong to Sri Lanka which also can be claimed as an Indian Heritage and the part of the land or sea mass which is within Indian territory belongs to India and also will remain Indian Heritage.
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old codger / March 1, 2022
B1,
Some writers with limited English comprehension see monsters under their beds.
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Lanka Canuck / March 1, 2022
Raama and Raavana is nothing but Ramayana Myth. Very similar to the Raama cult in North India who wants to claim the Adam’s Bridge as their heritage, there is a Raavana cult among a few Sinhala-Buddhist nut cases in Sri Lanka. They say, the ancient Sinhala people (4000 years BCE) have developed a highly advance civilization complete with airplanes, nuclear energy, advanced medicine, etc. All Indo-Aryan languages (including Pali, Sanskrit) are claimed to be derived from Sinhala by the Raavana cult. Tele Drama programs, plays, novels and forth-coming films are minting money using the Raavana Myth. The “Hela Suvaya” vedakama (Sinhala vedakama) is also mentioned as from Raavana period. The Sri Lankan Raavana myth has captured the imagination of the Sinhalese very effectively, they are promoting the idea of strong Ramayana tradition in the island very similar to their counterparts in India.
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Ajith / March 1, 2022
What is wrong with Indians claiming Adams peak as Indian Heritage when Buddhist claims that this island is theirs only?
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SJ / March 2, 2022
A
Your logic is as usual stunningly *****d.
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Native Vedda / March 3, 2022
Ajith
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“What is wrong with Indians claiming Adams peak as Indian Heritage when Buddhist claims that this island is theirs only?”
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Lankies want to get themselves high.
Please read:
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Police arrest eight youths with drugs on pilgrimage to Sri Pada
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(Sat, Jan 15, 2022, 11:03 am SL Time, ColomboPage News Desk, Sri Lanka.)
http://www.colombopage.com/archive_22A/Jan15_1642224781CH.php
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Lanka Canuck / March 1, 2022
Not just Adam’s bridge but the whole of Sri Lanka including its people (Sinhalese, Tamils and Muslims), Religions (Buddhism, Hinduism) and culture are all Indian heritage. Rama, Sita and Ravana are nothing but Myth. There is no evidence what so ever to prove the existence of Rama, Sita or Ravana exept the Ramayana Mythology. The so called man made Rama Setu Bridge has nothing to do with the Mythical Rama, Sita or Ravana. It must have been built by the Cholas. In the 9th century AD, under Rajaraja Chola and his son Rajendra Chola, Sri Lanka became one of the nine provinces of the Chola Empire and was called Chola Mandalam. This Chola rule was the longest and the most far-reaching in terms of surface area by the Chola power. Sri Lanka (Anuradhapura and then Polonaruwa) remained a Chola colony (AD 993 – 1070) under the rule of Rajaraja Chola and his son Rajendra Chola. Rama-Ravana rule was a myth but Chola rule was the truth. This so called man made Adam’s bridge can be the South Indian Chola heritage.
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SJ / March 2, 2022
Let them go on to Claim Thailand, Cambodia and Indonesia among others.
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Where did coconuts originate from?
“Coconuts were first domesticated by the Austronesian peoples in Island Southeast Asia and were spread during the Neolithic via their seaborne migrations as far east as the Pacific Islands,”
Should not Papua New Guinea stake its claim on India?
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Native Vedda / March 3, 2022
SJ
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“Should not Papua New Guinea stake its claim on India?”
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Don’t be silly.
China should.
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SJ / March 4, 2022
Do not read through the ball.
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Jit / March 1, 2022
What is unnatural or unusual about That? Some Indian politicians claiming Sethu as their heritage? Is it any different to what some Sri Lankan politicians, Buddhist monks and people (firmly believe and) claiming Gauthama Buddha was a Sri Lankan while Ravana was globe trotting in aeroplanes!! People in both countries share similar DNA so the thinking patterns would be similar too, wouldn’t they?
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MyView / March 1, 2022
Dear Jit,
“What is unnatural or unusual” is that in this age and time, “People in both countries” still use these myths, to believe or spread, discord.
AND WE SOMETIMES CLAIM “ In this enlightened age” !
Civilised are’nt we ? a stage of social and cultural development considered to be more advanced.
Sad indeed.
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Sinhala_Man / March 3, 2022
Dear Jit,
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I should like to thank you for the justified and kindly warning that you’ve sent me two days ago in a comment here:
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https://www.colombotelegraph.com/index.php/stubborn-push-for-siege-of-hindu-temples-in-north-east-sri-lanka/
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I agree that the privacy of the sort of confidential emails that I receive ought to be respected. Sometimes the CT moderators censor my comments. You’ll be glad to hear that they’ve told me (when asked) that it is because I speak of other people. So, I’m given the occasional rap on the knuckles for that!
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They also tell me that although it is all right to range some way from the subject under discussion, I sometimes go clean off the point.
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So, mea culpa!
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Sinhala_Man / March 3, 2022
Jit,
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What you said in your comment was:
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“Panini, would she not become somewhat uncomfortable when you publish some of her personal information here, which she might have communicated to you through emails?? No disrespect intended, but just wondering……!!”
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Comments are closed there now. That is why I’m submitting two comments here. I hope that they will be allowed in.
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You’ll be relieved to hear that Manel has written to me today with no rancour, linking me to this Bob Dylan song:
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zKN06hJqslM
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That song is redolent with ironies, which I’m sure that sensitive people like Manel and you will identify easily, but being sorry that most of thee ironies were not apparent to Dylan.
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When trying to do something, we all make mistakes. We must strive to minimise them. Please understand that I appreciate constructive criticisms of your sort.
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Panini Edirisinhe of Bandarawela
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Jit / March 3, 2022
Panini, I appreciate your kind and honest apology. You know what? You don’t have to have any remorse, because you show up the qualities of a genuine human being. You are a kind of rare specie in this side of the world where everyone is trying their best to say, ‘no I’m not wrong’. In that sense you are quite humble to accept what went wrong and take steps to repair the damage. I’m sure MF appreciates that too!! It is not only you, even I do get emotional sometimes, excited just like a kid in the ice cream shop but in the end we all accept what went wrong as we all are human. We remain our human quality as long as we acknowledge our mistakes and willing to accept that we stepped away from the modus operand.
BTW talking about Dylan, I really want to show this although you may have seen this many times: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ld6fAO4idaI.
Dylan was/is a great composer but sorry, to me a terrible singer, so I reproduced famous PP&M. I used to listen to this over and over at the American Centre library in Kandy when I really felt lonely at Pera. How did Dylan made it so right in 1962 which is even more so right 60 years later in 2022 considering the Ukraine invasion??
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Pandi Kutti / March 1, 2022
Good, I love it. After all Lord Buddha and Buddhism that Chingkallams now claim as their sole possession, are of Indian heritage. Even the Chingkallams. Very soon Indians and Indian courts should declare Kacchatheevu and the entire ancient Eezham Thamizh Saivite north and east also as part of the Indian heritage and culture to be preserved by India, as the Chingkallams are only intent on destroying this ancient Hindu Thamizh Eezham culture that is much older than theirs on the island and erase any trace of this, despite even President Modi stating Thamizh is the oldest spoken language in the world and Indians and all South Asians should be proud of this heritage as it is in their land. However, the Chingkallams are not, and want to destroy it as they want to show the world that the island is a pure Chingkalla Buddhist island. Just like the way the Taliban and the ISIS wanted to show Afghanistan and or the parts of Western Asia that came under their control, respectively was purely Islamic and went about destroying any other culture or non-Sunni Islamic people. India has been forced to do this. Good on India. Smiles. Stop crying
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GATAM / March 1, 2022
There is no bridge. These are only naturally occurring sand dunes.
Shame science has not reached some parts of the third world.
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Buddhist1 / March 1, 2022
Gatam,
Ah ah ah! It appears you have not read the recent scientific study done.
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Native Vedda / March 3, 2022
Buddhist1
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“Ah ah ah! It appears you have not read the recent scientific study done.”
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I surprised myself when I agreed with GATAM.
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Rohan25 / March 1, 2022
Fairness and equality! Where and by whom? It may be in India to some extent but definitely not Sri Lanka. If there was fairness and equality on the island and most of its citizens believed in this, the Tamil will not be treated, so badly and still continued to be treated in this manner. Funny all this so-called contested heritage site is in the historical Tamil area on both sides of the sea, that only came under the control of Delhi and Colombo not because of their own efforts of through any ancient historical claim but thanks to the British who created modern India and Ceylon or Sri Lanka and gave Colombo and Delhi control of these lands when they left. Funny spurn the Tamils, Hinduism, their language, heritage, history, and culture and do everything and make every effort to erase their ancient history on the island and claim everything falsely as Sinhalese Buddhist only, including ancient Tamil Hindu and Buddhist sites in the north and east. Now trying to contest and claim this ancient site that is closely associated with the Hindu Ramayana epic, in the seas that is part of the Tamil homeland on both sides of the seas as their too. At least in India Tamil people are treated with dignity, respect and their language and heritage are recognized and they rule their own territory.
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Rohan25 / March 1, 2022
Contrast that with here. Fairness and equality indeed! Do the usual that you do in the Tamil North and East when claiming ancient Hindu sites and temples or even ancient Tamil Buddhist sites. Concoct history and erect a Buddha statue if you can and then claim it as the exclusive heritage of the Sinhalese Buddhists. I would rather India claim and have this historical site situated in the shallow sea that is part of the Tamil homeland and seas as theirs, as it is associated closely with India and the Hindu Ramayana which is also dear and close to all Tamils from both sides of the sea, than to a largely Tamil and Hindu hating, largely Buddhist Sinhalese majority ruled Sri Lanka, where most of its citizens have no concept of fairness and equality. Trying to cynically use these concepts to their advantage. 99.99% of the Tamils on both sides of the seas and land, where this site is situated will prefer and want India to claim this and retain this as theirs. It is in their land.
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Good Sense / March 1, 2022
Some cranks in India might move in some Indian Court (knowing the outcome in advance) that the entire Sri Lanka is a part of India. Further they might say that it must be immediately annexed and made a Union Territory. THEN??? 13th amendment and provincial councils arising out of the Indo Lanka accord. POOH! It is a part of India ad a Union Territory. ALL our STATES are bigger that the tiny dot Sri Lanka. Take the court order and expect Narendra Modi be like a Putin who sent troops to Ukraine. Aiyo!!! We missed a golden opportunity when IPKF was there. Could have captured the entire Sri Lanka before you said Jack Robinson. Then Jawans can freely rape Sri Lankan women, not only the North and East.
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Native Vedda / March 3, 2022
Good Sense
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“Then Jawans can freely rape Sri Lankan women, not only the North and East.”
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Seriously what did this Sinhala/Buddhist sovereign state and its brave armed forces do to stop Hindian invasion, occupation and atrocities (war crimes)?
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Was it not the psychopath sacrificed baby brigade to get rid of IPKF while the members of Sri Lankan armed forces were hiding behind their women folks?
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As far as Hindians are concerned (whether you like it or not) Sri Lanka is the Sinhala state of Hindia. North East is part of their Tamil Nadu.
If you want to stop Hindia from officially annexing this island, you must ask SJ to get Chinese protection.
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Sooner or later your great civilian and military leaders will sell the island for pittance with the blessing of religious leaders .
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I suggest you advice your military, civilian and religious leaders to focus on people’s immediate needs, electricity, gas, food, income, health and safety, security, dignity, livelihood, …. and stop begging from Hindia, Bangladesh.
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If you don’t treat your people well your neighbours and strangers will grope your women folks.
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