Colombo is witnessing a calculated push by China to undermine traditional Buddhist values while embedding the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) agenda deep into the island nation’s fabric. Disguised as cultural diplomacy, this strategy amounts to ideological infiltration. Sri Lanka must tread carefully to avoid trading economic dependence for its ancient Buddhist heritage, warns a new report released on Thursday.
Published by Sri Lankan media outlet Ceylon Wire News, the report highlights how the land long revered as the cradle of Theravada Buddhism now faces a subtle yet profound erosion of its religious and cultural identity. At the heart of this shift is Beijing’s weaponization of Buddhism as a soft-power tool, meticulously aligned with the CCP’s broader geopolitical strategy. While presented in the language of friendship and shared heritage, the reality conceals ideological penetration and cultural manipulation.
China has long recognized religion’s potential in diplomacy, and Sri Lanka’s deep spiritual roots in Buddhism make it an ideal gateway. Beijing funds temple restorations, cultural exchanges, and pilgrimages, positioning itself as a guardian of Buddhist legacy. Yet, behind this facade lies a deliberate effort to align Sri Lanka’s Buddhist institutions with the CCP’s worldview.
Scholars note that China’s Buddhist diplomacy extends beyond cultural affinity; it’s integral to the CCP’s foreign policy, softening its image while forging party-to-party ties alongside state relations. Economic pressures exacerbate the issue. Struggling to repay loans for projects like the Hambantota Port, Sri Lanka has granted concessions deepening Chinese control. Recent agreements tie the nation’s digital economy plan directly to Chinese investment, transcending mere financial aid to embed CCP ideological frameworks into governance.
By linking economic cooperation to CCP narratives of collective prosperity and obedience, Beijing ensures its political agenda permeates Sri Lankan institutions. Coupled with soft-power tactics, this reshapes spiritual narratives to align with authoritarian views, creating dual material and spiritual dependencies that erode sovereignty and redefine cultural identity.
The report cautions that without countermeasures, this infiltration could dilute centuries-old spiritual heritage, turning Buddhist institutions into vehicles for foreign propaganda rather than bastions of timeless wisdom.