🏛️ Sri Lanka’s Civilisational Heritage Named a Key Strategic Asset

• The Core Asset: A former Sri Lankan Ambassador highlights the nation’s Theravāda Buddhist heritage not merely as a religious legacy, but as a primary strategic asset to strengthen national identity, ethical leadership, and social harmony. • Economic & Diplomatic Value: Confidently positioning Sri Lanka as a global hub for Theravāda scholarship, archaeology, and peace studies can directly boost tourism (specifically cultural tourism), education, and research. It can also elevate the island's international standing and cultural diplomacy. • Governance & Moral Recovery: Economic recovery alone is insufficient for sustainable progress. The article urges modern leaders to seek moral counsel from Buddhist clergy and other religious and civil leaders to restore public trust, integrity, and civic responsibility. • Pluralistic Unity: Prioritizing this heritage does not diminish the contributions of Hindu, Muslim, or Christian communities. True Buddhist values emphasize compassion and justice, which support a diverse, united, and prosperous nation. _Note: Summary based on an editorial by a former Sri Lankan Ambassador._