Monks Arrive in Sri Lanka for ‘Walk for Peace’ Programme
A group of four Buddhist monks led by Ven. Pannakara Thero has arrived in Sri Lanka today (21) to take part in the “Walk for Peace Program in Sri Lanka.” The delegation, which previously led a peace walk in the United States, landed at Bandaranaike International Airport.
They were accompanied by a dog named “Aloka,” widely recognized for its association with global peace initiatives. The visiting monks were officially received by Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs, Dr. Hiniduma Sunil Senevi, and Presidential Secretary Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake.
A special blessing ceremony for the peace walk is scheduled to be held this afternoon at the historic Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi, where a sapling of the sacred Bodhi tree will be ceremonially handed over to the visiting monks by senior members of the Maha Sangha.
Further religious observances will take place at the Ruwanwelisaya later in the day.
The peace walk is set to commence on April 22 from Dambulla and will pass through several key towns including Naula, Matale, Kandy, Kadugannawa, Kegalle, and Kelaniya, before concluding at Independence Square on April 28.
To mark the conclusion of the programme, the Bodhi sapling will be formally handed over by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake to the visiting Maha Sangha. The monks will then proceed in a ceremonial procession to Gangaramaya Temple, where a design-focused event titled “We are the Design” will be inaugurated.
The initiative is being organized with the support of multiple government and private institutions, including the Presidential Secretariat, Clean Sri Lanka Secretariat, Sri Lanka Police, the Tri-Forces, and the National Design Centre.
