A senior police officer has appealed to the public to avoid obstructing the Walk for Peace, refrain from crowding the route, and allow the monks to continue their journey peacefully.
Speaking during a meeting attended by K. D. Lalkantha, the officer said “Aloka the Peace Dog,” the certified service canine accompanying the procession from Dambulla, became unwell and received treatment after heavy crowds and disruptions along the route yesterday.
He said large numbers of people, media crews and onlookers attempting to take selfies, pictures and videos with the dog and the monks accompanying the march had caused significant delays and difficulties.
The officer said authorities had to intervene to control the situation, adding that both the President’s Secretary and the Sri Lanka Police chief had contacted him through WhatsApp group calls on two occasions regarding the matter.
The Walk for Peace commenced from Dambulla under the leadership of Ven. Pannakara Thero, members of the Maha Sangha, and Aloka the Peace Dog.
The walk ended in Matale yesterday and will arrive at Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic on April 23.
On April 24, the walk will begin from the Temple of the Sacred Tooth premises and reach Beligammana Rajamaha Vihara in the evening. It will return to Tholangamuwa on April 25.
The walk will resume on April 26 from Tholangamuwa to Yakkala, and on April 27 it will start from Yakkala and reach Kelaniya Rajamaha Vihara in the evening.
On April 28, the walk will commence from Kelaniya Rajamaha Vihara and arrive at Independence Square in the evening, where the national ceremony will be held under the patronage of Anura Kumara Dissanayake. (Newswire)