Senior police have appealed to the public to stop crowding the islandwide “Walk for Peace” procession after the event’s certified service dog, known as “Aloka the Peace Dog,” fell ill and required veterinary treatment.
Speaking at a meeting attended by Minister K.D. Lalkantha, a senior officer said large numbers of onlookers, media crews and selfie-seekers attempting to take pictures with Aloka and the accompanying monks had caused significant delays and difficulties along the route. Authorities had to intervene to control the situation, and both the President’s Secretary and the Sri Lanka Police chief contacted the officer through WhatsApp group calls on two occasions regarding the disruption.
The procession, led by Venerable Pannakara Thero and members of the Maha Sangha from Dambulla, is part of an islandwide walk from April 21 to 28. It concluded Tuesday in Matale and is scheduled to reach the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic in Kandy on April 23.
From April 24, the walk will resume from the Temple of the Sacred Tooth premises and reach Beligammana Rajamaha Vihara that evening, before returning to Tholangamuwa on April 25. The walk continues to Yakkala on April 26 and arrives at Kelaniya Rajamaha Vihara on April 27.
A national ceremony under the patronage of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake is due to take place at Independence Square on April 28, following the final leg from Kelaniya.
Police said they expect members of the public to allow the monks to continue the journey peacefully and without further obstruction.
