A group of senior Buddhist monks led by Venerable Pannakara Thero will conduct an islandwide “Walk for Peace” from April 21 to 28, Ven. Dr. Melpitiye Wimalakitti Thero announced at a press briefing at the Department of Government Information on Thursday.
Route and schedule
The monks are scheduled to arrive in Sri Lanka on April 21 and proceed to Attanagalla Rajamaha Viharaya. They will obtain a sapling from the Sri Maha Bodhi in Anuradhapura before beginning the walk to Ruwanwelisaya and then to Dambulla Rajamaha Viharaya.
The walk formally commences on April 22 from Dambulla to Matale, continuing to Kandy on April 23. On April 24, the journey resumes from the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, with Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya expected to attend.
The procession will pass through Kegalle, Yakkala, and Mahara before reaching Kelaniya Rajamaha Viharaya on April 27. The walk concludes on April 28 at Kelaniya Temple, followed by a national ceremony at Independence Square under the patronage of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake.
Government patronage
Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs Hiniduma Sunil Senevi confirmed the walk will be conducted under full government patronage with state security. The event comes amid heightened global tensions from the Middle East conflict and follows Sri Lanka’s recent Global South peace coalition statement.
