The Ramayana Initiative of the Ministry of Tourism. - Gaston Perera

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1 The Ramayana Initiative of the Ministry of Tourism - Gaston Perera

2 Object of Presentation - to describe what the Ministry does in employing the Ramayana legend to attract Indian tourists

3 METHODOLOGY To present an unvarnished, factual account as impartially, dispassionately, and with as straight a face as possible

4 SOURCES Official website of Ministry at Public Statements made by Ministry Officials Also Google-Sri Lanka Travel- Religion and Culture- Ramayana Trail

5 REFORMS New legislation 38 of 2005 Ceylon Tourist Board replaced Sri Lanka Tourist Development Authority (SLTDA) established as apex body to maintain current and create new markets

6 Birth of India Option War, the global economic downturn and rising fuel prices block inflow of tourists from West Hence Indian option and the Ramayana epic

7 Thinking in India Views of Indian intelligentsia on Ramayana summarized in books such as D.P. Mishra s Search for Lanka

8 Thinking in India

9 Thinking in India All proper names of human beings, tribes, places, rivers, forests, mountains,etc mentioned in the Ramayana of Valmiki have now to be looked for on the map of India -page

10 The India Option But the then Minister of Tourism, Mr Milinda Moragoda, opts to use the Ramayana epic as a device to attract Indian tourists to the Island.

11 Mr Moragoda s interview with Business Page Magazine, 7 th July In order to ensure all our activities will be in keeping with our beliefs as well as our cultural and traditional values, our Ministry has set up a Maha Sangha Advisory Council to guide us in our activities.

12 Mr Moragoda s Interview (contd) - We have created an initiative called the Ramayana Trail and have opened up over 50 sites associated with the Ramayana epic.

13 The Ramayana Tours Varies according to Price and Duration Price- Premier= 250Euro, per day per person, all provided - Also Gold and Silver - Classic = 64 euros Duration One day tours - Trials of Sita, 7days/8nights

14 What the SLTDA says in introducing the Ramayana Tour Valmiki s epic is a symbol of victory of good over evil. Characterisation: Rama dark, handsome prince in exile confronts and overcomes demon king Island the proud custodian of more than 50 sites associated with epic People remember to this day the connection of their soil to the great epic.

15 Some of the 50 Sites on the Ramayana Tour Sitakotuwa: Gurulupotha, Hasalaka. Site of Lankapura, Ravana s capital. Sita Eliya: Stream where Sita bathed Istripura/Konda Katu Gala: Rock on which Sita sat to dry and clip her hair Path of Sita s Chariot: Summit of Ramboda. No vegetation grows. Ussangoda: Airport torched by Hanuman near Tangalla

16 Sites (contd.) Ravana Cave Ella: Series of underground tunnels and secret passages through hill. Net-worked all the important cities, airports and dairy farms. A close look --- indicates they are man-made and not natural formations. Opens at Matale etc. Instance of Ravana s architectutal brilliance Yuddhaganawa: in Wasgamuwa jungles. Battlefield. Barren now after the destruction.

17 SITES (CONTD.) Dunwila: On out skirts of Wasgamuwa National Park from where Rama fired the brahmastharam (arrow) that killed Ravana. Rumassgala:at Unawatuna, Galle. Hanuman bringing hill from Himalaya with medicinal herbs dropped part here. Others at Ritigala etc.

18 SITES (CONTD.) Divurumpola: where Sita performed the agni parikshaka to prove her chastity. THE LEGAL SYSTEM PERMITS AND ACCEPTS THE SWEARING DONE AT THIS TEMPLE WHILE SETTLING DISPUTES BETWEEN PARTIES. Munneswaram: when the victorious Rama was returning he was pursued by a dosham. On Shiva s advice he installed a lingam here and was able to proceed safely.

19 The Ramayana Trail Executive Chairman-Mr. N. Kiriella Committee

20 Members- -Dr Suriya Gunasekera, an authority on Sri Lankan pre-history & Author of ල ක ඉත හ ස ය හළ ය (Lanka Ithihasaye Hela Yugaya) Ussangoda

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23 The Ramayana Trail Executive Committee The Other Members: - Dr Subash Chawla, an authority on International Ramayana - Mr Basnayake: Additional Secretary of the Ministry - Mr Kalaiselvam: Director, SLTDA

24 The Ramayana Trail Executive Committee (contd.) Function to administer and update Ramayana research

25 The Ramayana Trail Executive Committee (contd.) Object of Research: to prove the historical phase of the Ramayana for which there are (!) historical and archaeological evidence available in Sri Lanka

26 Sites for which the Committee has found Evidence Cobra Hood Cave on Sigiriya Rock

27 Sites for which the Committee has found Evidence Potgul Vihara Statue Polonnaruwa (Pulasthi)

28 Sites for which the Committee has found Evidence Vessagiriya - Anuradhapura

29 Sites for which the Committee has found Evidence Isurumuniya Rock Sculpture

30 Sites for which the Committee has found Evidence Other sites: Rumassgala The Great Bass and Little Bass The Ravana Ella Cave The Ravana falls Ritigala

31 Cobra Hood Cave

32 The Evidence for the Cobra Hood Cave Inscription at Entrance to Cave Parumuka naguliya lene Raksha maidens called Sita naguli Therefore Sita was imprisoned in the Cave

33 Address by Mr Kiriella 17 th July Indian Cultural Centre Subject Historical Evidence of Ramayana and Ravana in Sri Lanka. Available in full at Reveals the revolutionary thinking in the Ramayana initiative about archaeology, history, epigraphy and science

34 Address by Mr Kiriella (contd.) There are other ways to test truthfulness than archaeology Excavations at Mohenjo-daro prove the pre-historical atomic power --- historians and archaeologists kept away from exploring the prehistory of Sri Lanka as they were not permitted or not concerned ---.

35 Address by Mr Kiriella (contd.) There is historical evidence on rocks that Sri Lanka --- used a developed alphabet since BCE. There are many inscriptions of Ravana - -- misconstrued and published in Inscriptions of Ceylon. --- cited in our written history that we are descendents(!) of King Vijaya. This may be an incorporation of the Buddhist Monastic order.

36 Address of Mr Kiriella (contd.) Most parts of Sri Lanka was (!) submerged due to a tsunami --- this seismic happening is confirmed by modern science.