Sri Lanka is among the closest foreign countries we have, and historically, we have been very involved with it. If the Cholas conquered it, the Lankan kings aligned with the Pandyas and later joined in wars on Indian soil. Of course, long before all of this was the Ramayana link, connecting locations such as Thirupullani, Rameswaram, and Dhanushkodi to the island. And then, there is Rama Setu or Adam’s Bridge.
Boats must have plied between Sri Lanka and India since time immemorial. And so, there was always a cultural exchange. The Nayanmars sang of Shiva in Thirukoneswaram and Thirketheswaram. Arunagirinatha adored Murugan in Kathirkamam. Years later, Arumuga Navalar would come to Madras to have his works published and indulge in his war against Ramalinga Swamigal. But it was the coming of the railways that really connected Madras to Colombo.
