From war lessons to tourism ties: Sri Lankan Minister’s roadmap in Hyderabad

As Telangana moves to strengthen its position on the global Buddhist tourism map with an integrated circuit linking key heritage sites, Hyderabad is emerging as a focal point for cultural and spiritual exchange. At a time when parts of South Asia continue to grapple with tensions, there is also a renewed emphasis on Buddhist teachings of compassion and dialogue as tools for peace.

In conversation with The Hindu, Hiniduma Sunil Senevi, Sri Lanka’s Minister for Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs, speaks about cultural diplomacy, conflict resolution, tourism collaboration, engaging the younger generation, and relevance of Hyderabad is key to building a shared Buddhist tourism circuit.

I must convey my special gratitude for organising such a global Buddhist peace conference, especially with its focus on peace, something we need more and more today. In Sri Lanka, our universities have specific courses and academic discussions on texts like the Mulamadhyamakakarika (Fundamental Verses on the Middle Way) and related philosophical traditions. So, I believe Hyderabad is a very appropriate place for this kind of dialogue. As the Minister for Buddhasasana and Cultural Affairs, I have many ideas and aspirations to further strengthen this relationship. What we have started today is an important step towards a long-term cultural and spiritual partnership between Sri Lanka and India.

If we look at the world today, including regions such as the Middle East, we see deeply troubling realities. Conflict, suffering, and division are widespread. At its core, Buddhism teaches compassion and loving-kindness. However, modern society is often driven by endless race of greed. If we are to move beyond this, we must return to these fundamental values. Buddhist teachings are not merely philosophical; they offer practical guidance for resolving conflict. Dialogue, compassion, and understanding must replace retaliation. Without inner peace, even if we try to present an external image of peace, we continue to suffer within.

There is strong potential for collaboration between Sri Lanka and regions such as Telangana. We have already begun discussions on establishing a formal memorandum of understanding. Sri Lanka is home to ancient and sacred cities such as Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa, which contain thousands of monuments, artefacts, and historical sites of great importance. Similarly, Telangana has sites like Buddhavanam that are deeply connected to Buddhist heritage. By working together, we can develop a strong, interconnected tourism circuit that attracts visitors from across the world. Beyond infrastructure, we can also collaborate on cultural exchange, preservation of heritage, and promoting shared historical narratives.

Sri Lanka has gone through nearly 30 years of very difficult conflict, which affected all communities- Sinhalese, Tamil, Muslim and others. It was a painful experience for the entire nation. Today, however, people want to move forward together towards a better and more harmonious future, without focusing on divisions. In recent elections, we saw trust and support from different regions, including the Northern and Eastern areas. This reflects a desire to rebuild a united Sri Lankan identity.

Young people are interested in Buddhism, but the way they engage with knowledge has changed. They are living in a highly digital and sophisticated environment. As a government, along with scholars and academics, we must present these important spiritual teachings using modern tools and digital platforms. In Sri Lanka, we have a Ministry of Digitalisation, and we are working to convert ancient knowledge, including palm-leaf manuscripts, into digital formats.

I would like to express my gratitude to India. Much of our cultural and spiritual foundation, including Buddhism, comes from here. We consider this a great gift. As a new government, we have many plans and aspirations, and we look forward to working with India, especially with places like Hyderabad. Projects such as Buddhavanam and other peace initiatives offer many opportunities for collaboration. I believe there is much we can achieve together, and I hope to continue strengthening these ties.

Published – March 27, 2026 09:24 pm IST