Zhen He chamber for Galle Maritime Museum

S r i Lanka To ur i s m i s aiming to build a chamber in memory of Chinese diplomat and explorer, Zheng He, according to Chairman Sri Lanka Tourism, Dr Nalaka Godahewa.

“We a r e h o p i n g t o bu i l d a Z h e n He memori a l C h a mbe r i n s i d e t h e Maritime Museum in Galle . Given that Galle is only 1 hour away from Colombo and with the Souther n Highway it is expected to become a key tourist attraction,” Dr Godahewa said.

He made these comments during an oration at the Sri Lanka Institute of Tourism and Hotel Management yesterday.

“T h e g r e at e s t Navi g at o r to visit Sri Lanka from China perhaps was Admiral Zheng He who visited the country first time in 1405. Zheng He was believed to have been the first sailor to establish a direct sea route between the Western Pacific and Indian Ocean as an alter nate to the famous silk road by land. His voyages predated Christopher Columbus’ discovery of America by 87 years and were 1 1 4 ye a r s b e f o r e Fe r d i n a n d d e Magellan’s round-the-world voyage.”

Zheng He was an explorer, diplomat and mariner who was said to have made three voyages by sea from China to Sri Lanka between 1405 and 1433; prior to the 500 year long isolationist period that the country’s rulers imposed during which all foreign relations and naval expeditions were stopped.

A stone eng raved in 3 languages; Tamil, Persian and Chinese, was erected by Zheng He during his second visit to Sri Lanka. The stone is currently on display in the National Museum.