Which strait separates the Asian mainland from the island of Sri Lanka?

The Palk Strait separates the Asian mainland from the island of Sri Lanka. It lies between the Indian state of Tamil Nadu and Sri Lanka’s Northern Province, linking the Bay of Bengal with the Palk Bay and the Gulf of Mannar.

The strait is relatively shallow and contains numerous shoals and islands. A chain of limestone formations to its southwest is commonly called Adam’s Bridge or Rama’s Bridge. The area has long been important to fishing, coastal communities, religious traditions, and maritime travel.

The Palk Strait is named after Robert Palk, who served as governor of the Madras Presidency in the eighteenth century. Its shallow waters make large-ship navigation difficult, and proposals to create a shipping channel have generated environmental and political controversy. The strait is also part of a biologically rich marine region containing seagrass, coral, and migratory species.