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by Taraka Wickremasekera

Burma (Myanmar) - Sri Lanka relations date back to several centuries. These relations have been further strengthened by the exchange of goods and various delegations between the two countries over the years. First these relations were based on Buddhism. This gave rise to various government level relations subsequently.

Although there were various clashes between the two countries at various times they did not hamper the relations between the two countries. When talking about Burma and Sri Lanka the most significant event is the gaining of independence by the two countries.

We gained independence on February 4, 1948 while Burma gained independence a month earlier on January 4, 1948. Thus the two countries have a similarity as regards gaining independence from colonial rulers.

The two countries have gained similar honour and prestige for protecting Buddhism in its pristine form.

Girihandu Seya and Swedagon

Ancient folklore clearly portray the close relations which existed between the two countries. Although our history says that the scared hair relics of the Buddha obtained by trading partners 'Thappassu' and 'Balluka' are enshrined in the 'Girihandu Seya' at Thiriyaya, Trincomalee. Burmese history says they are enshrined in the historic Swedagon Cetiya in Burma.

Significant relations between Burma and Sri Lanka began during the reign of King Vijayabahu I (1055-1110 AD) who saved the country from Chola rulers. It was King Anuruddha alias Anauratha who ruled Burma at that time. The objective of the King of Sri Lanka was to revive Theravada Buddhism which was in a state of degeneration by obtaining Upasampada.

Accordingly the Bhikkhu Sasana in Sri Lanka was revived by getting a team of Burmese bhikkhus to come here and establish Upasampada with the help of King Anuruddha of Burma. This was done through the Maha Viharaya in Anuradhapura. The Lankan king gifted a replica of the sacred tooth relic and 'Tripitaka' books to the king of Burma. The Buddha Sasana was taken from Sri Lanka to Burma during the reign of king 'Sithu' of Burma when the religion had suffered a setback there. King Parakramabahu the Great ruled Sri Lanka at that time and Ven. Uttarajeeva Sanghanayake Thera of Burma visited the Kelaniya temple to hold an Upasampada ceremony and took back the Upasampada to Burma for Buddhist missionary service in that country.

When King Buvanekabahu was ruling Sri Lanka the Buddha Sasana in Burma suffered a calamity once again. The Maha Sangha in Burma got divided into several sects causing much concern to the Burmese King Dhamma Cetiya.

Sri Lanka assistance to Burma

The Burmese King once again took steps to revive Buddhism in Burma by sending a 44 member sangha delegation to the Kelaniya temple and holding an Upasampada ceremony. This delegation which went back to Burma held an Upasampada ceremony there and renamed their 'Seemamalakaya' as the 'Kalyani Maha Seema' in memory of the Kelaniya ceremony.

In the 19th century when Buddhism in Sri Lanka was restricted to people of higher castes King Keerthi Sri Rajasinghe introduced the Amarapura sect from Burma here in 1802 to safeguard the right of people of other castes to gain ordination. Subsequently the Ramanna Nikaya too was introduced here from Burma in 1862.

Burma has now changed its name to Myanmar. Although the war between Myanmar and Sri Lanka which erupted during the time of King Parakramabahu the Great did not sever the close relations between the two countries there has been no exchange of Buddhist and other delegations between the two countries in recent times.

The Myanmar government does not show much interest in this sphere other. Mr. U. Mapa who assumed duties as the new Sri Lankan Ambassador in Burma recently, hopes change this situation and strengthen the cordial relations between the two countries through the exchange of delegations and people.

Mr. Mapa who returned to Sri Lanka for a brief visit explaining the reasons for this situation said the main reason for the absence of Burmese tourist groups here was the back of an awareness about Sri Lanka among the Burmese people. Deep reverence towards the Sacred tooth relic

The Buddhist public in Myanmar have always held the Sacred Tooth relic and its repository with great reverence. If they are made aware of the Sacred Tooth Relic and the Sri Dalada Maligawa in Kandy they will start visiting Sri Lanka in droves.

Mr. Mapa said that eventhough the Buddha Sasana still survives in Burma some of the customs maintained by the Buddhists are not in keeping with Buddhism. However, the large majority of people in Myanmar fashioned their lives according to Buddhism. Mr. Mapa said for instance certain Bhikkhus in Burma resorted to smoking while they administered pansil at their temples.

He has been able to change such habits by making representations to the authorities there and now 'No smoking' boards have been put up in most temples. Mr. Mapa said he has already made several arrangements to encourage cultural and social interchange between the peoples of the two countries. There are 135 different communities living in Burma at present.

Mr. Mapa said he was instrumental in getting a Burmese Buddhist delegation which visited India recently to proceed to Sri Lanka on pilgrimage. He has been able to create a Buddhist reawakening in Burma centred round Sri Lanka with the help of the Military regime there.

The planting of a sapling of the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi taken by a delegation led by the Diyawadane Nilame Neranjan Wijeyeratne has greatly helped to foster friendly relations between the two countries, he said. Arrangements have also been made to develop the Sri Lankaramaya in Myanmar.

A 37 foot Buddha Statue is now being built in close proximity to the Swedagon viharaya under the program initiated by him said Mr. Mapa.People of Myanmar refer to this statue as "Loka Shantha Abhayalabha Muni".

Mr. Mapa also described the enshrinement of sacred Buddha relics taken from Sri Lanka at the Sri Lankaramaya by a delegation led by former Prime Minister Ratnasiri Wickremanayake as a praiseworthy event towards fostering Buddhism and friendly relations between the two countries.

All these developments will greatly help to bring more Burmese tourists here and encourage greater interchange between the two peoples in the near future he asserted.

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