Sri Lanka, April 21 -- Ancient texts such as the Mahabharata and Valmiki's Ramayana chronicle accounts of Rama crossing a bridge constructed by Hanumanta to save Sita from King Ravana's abduction. Historical documentation also makes mention of a structure known as Adam's Bridge. Extensive sections of Adam's Bridge stand the test of time, connecting the islands of Mannar in Northern Sri Lanka and Rameswaram in Tamil Nadu (TN) India.

Discussions about constructing a bridge linking India and Sri Lanka have surfaced from time to time. The United National Party (UNP) Government in 2001 tabled the initial proposal. It was a priority project in the Yali Pubudamu Sri Lanka (Re-Awakening) program introduced by the then Prime Minister Ranil Wickre...