'We do not consider Ravana wrong', Sri Lankan minister explained the reason, said - Ramayana is our common culture

The Sri Lankan government minister has said that Ramayana is a common culture of India and Sri Lanka and Ramayana has also contributed to strengthening the relations between the two countries. Sri Lankan Minister Jeevan Thondaman on Friday inaugurated an exhibition on Ramayana at the National Gallery of Modern Art in New Delhi. This exhibition named 'Chitrakavyam Ramayanam' will run for two months. During the program, Sri Lanka's Water Supply Minister said that people-to-people relations are very important to strengthen relations between India and Sri Lanka.

Jeevan Thondaman said 'Art is a very powerful medium to preserve culture. Through these exhibitions, we can see that Ramayana is a common culture in India and Sri Lanka and it strengthens the relations between the two countries. However, in our country, Ravana is not considered bad in Ramayana. Ravana was a capable administrator. Even in Saint Valmiki's Ramayana, Ravana had fallen on the battlefield. Even then Lord Ram had sat with him and learned the knowledge of art and administration. That's why we don't consider Ravana a villain.

The demonstration was jointly inaugurated by Union Minister Meenakshi Lekhi along with the Sri Lankan Minister. Referring to a statement given by Indian Foreign Minister S Jaishankar in the year 2022, Thondaman said that soft power can prove to be important in strengthening relations beyond economics and politics. Not only Ramayana but also Buddhist religious places are important for the relations between the two countries. There is also a lot of potential for tourism in both the countries. With increased air, shipping and land connectivity, tourists from both countries will be able to visit each other's countries.