Namal Rajapaksa at Hong Kong Forum: Development Must Integrate with Civilization for True Achievement

Addressing the 2026 Asian Cultural Public Welfare Forum in Hong Kong, Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna National Organizer and Parliamentarian, lawyer Namal Rajapaksa, articulated a vision where development and civilization coalesce to achieve profound success. He underscored Asia's pivotal moment, projecting it to contribute significantly to global GDP growth by 2030, and posed critical questions about the nature of the civilization that will emerge from this ascendancy: Will modernization dilute identity? Will technology serve humanity? Will economic ambitions harm nature? Rajapaksa drew upon Sri Lanka's rich history, referring to it as the 'Pearl of the Indian Ocean' not just for its beauty but for its 2500-year-old civilization. He cited the ancient irrigation systems and reservoirs built by kings not for glory, but for public welfare, ensuring water and food security. This historical perspective, he explained, embodies the Sri Lankan wisdom of "Wewa, Dageba, Gama, Pansala" – representing common resources, community life, shared values, and collective knowledge. These elements, he argued, formed an integrated system that fostered resilience. Rajapaksa also referenced the leadership of his father, Mahinda Rajapaksa, who he stated translated this ancient balance into modern policies, developing infrastructure while maintaining a focus on rural empowerment and social welfare, proving that modernization need not betray identity. He concluded by noting that Asia faces new challenges like climate change and digital inequality, but the ancient Sri Lankan model offers a guiding star for navigating these complexities.

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The most noble achievements were achieved only when development was integrated with civilization.