Sri Lanka, May 16 -- At the 2026 Asian Cultural Public Welfare Forum in Hong Kong, Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna National Organiser and Member of Parliament Namal Rajapaksa delivered a message highlighting the importance of preserving cultural identity alongside economic development.

In remarks shared from the forum, Rajapaksa said modernisation should not replace identity, but instead strengthen it, calling for a development model where "modernisation is a tool", and cultural identity remains an "anchor."

He noted Asia's growing global economic role, stating that the region is expected to drive nearly 60% of global GDP growth by 2030. However, he stressed that leadership should not be measured by economic performance alone.

"True leader...