“U San Linn is very perseverant, and the donors as well. They said that the search will continue until the bell is found,” said Min Myo Tin Lwin.

Historical researcher U Myo Myat Thu stated that, “With a belief in traditional methods, they [the search team] are searching for the bell. Without scientific techniques it will not be successful, nor can it be believed.”

U Myo Myat Thu continued that the search for the bell could only be conducted after having conducted considerable research and with the cooperation of the government, historical researchers, and historical experts.

“[What if] among many old bells, one bell was thrown into the sea. Then it would be salvaged. I’m worried that they would say that that is the bell that was sunk along with the Dhammazedi Bell. Worse yet, I am concerned that a fake small bell will be said to be the Mon Dhammazedi Bell salvaged from the sea,” said Nai Ye Zaw, joint-secretary of the Mon Historical Research Association.

U San Linn requested permission from the government to salvage the Dhammazedi Bell, two 7-cubit long standing golden Buddha images, and another small bell sunk at the confluence of the Rangoon River, Pegu River, and Pazundaung Creek.

The Rangoon government granted U San Linn and his salvage team permission to search for the Dhammazedi Bell on August 14th. The great bell sank about 400 years ago.

In an August 27th interview with IMNA, U San Linn confirmed that the great bell was found. However, on September 12th, U Than Nyunt, leader of the diving team, told IMNA that although U San Linn released a press statement confirming that the team had found the bell, the bell had not actually been found. According to U Than Nyunt, the team had actually found a shipwreck, while the team said it was the great bell. In fact, he said, the team has not yet seen or detected where the bell is.