Venerable Pannakara Thera met President Anura Kumara Dissanayake at the Presidential Secretariat last night (29), following the conclusion of the seven‑day “Ehipassiko” Peace Walk held across Sri Lanka.

According to the President’s Office, the Thera expressed gratitude for the state support that enabled the successful conduct of the walk, describing it as an inspiring experience that carried the message of peace to the world and highlighted the heritage of Buddhism internationally. 

He also conveyed appreciation for the offering of a sacred Bodhi sapling from the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi to the “Dhammacetiya” project in Texas, USA, and for permission to exhibit sacred relics at the International Vesak Festival in America.

Acknowledging the compassion shown to animals along the journey, Venerable Pannakara Thera extended thanks to the Maha Sangha, the President, the people of Sri Lanka, the security forces, veterinary and medical teams, and media institutions for their generosity and dedication.

President Dissanayake, in turn, emphasized that the Buddhist awakening sparked by the Peace Walk should be sustained, elevating Sri Lanka as an island of peace and humanity. 

He expressed, on behalf of all Sri Lankans, appreciation for Venerable Pannakara Thera’s commitment to both national and global peace. (Newswire)

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A special traffic plan will be implemented in Colombo tomorrow (28) in connection with the Walk for Peace programme.

According to the Police, the programme is scheduled to commence at 4:00 pm at Independence Square in Colombo under the patronage of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake.

As such, vehicular movement will be restricted on several key roads from 11:00 am onwards, subject to prevailing conditions. 

The affected roads include Baseline Road (from Bandaranaike Roundabout to Borella Junction), Maradana Road, Ward Place, Lipton Roundabout, Dharmapala Mawatha, F.R. Senanayake Mawatha, C.W.W. Kannangara Mawatha, Horton Roundabout, Nidahas Mawatha, Premasiri Kemadasa Mawatha, Cambridge Place, Marcus Fernando Mawatha, James Peiris Mawatha, Muttiah Road, Baybrook Road, Staple Street, Gangaramaya Temple Road, and all surrounding roads near the Gangaramaya Temple.

The Police have requested motorists and the general public to use alternative routes wherever possible to minimize congestion and inconvenience during the event. (Newswire)

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Day seven of the internationally renowned Walk for Peace campaign commenced this morning from the Abeysekararama Temple in Yakkala.

The day’s journey is scheduled to conclude at the historic Kelaniya Raja Maha Vihara.

Led by Venerable Pannakara Thero and a delegation of 13 monks from Vietnam, the Ehipassiko Peace Walk has drawn large crowds across its route. 

Despite the scorching sun, thousands of people have accompanied the monks, with devotees spreading banana leaves and cloth along the road to ease the heat for the participants.  

A special discussion with schoolchildren and university students will be held at the Kelaniya Temple at 11:00 am tomorrow (28).

The walk will then proceed to Independence Square in Colombo, where a state ceremony will take place at 4:00 pm under the patronage of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake. 

At the ceremony, a sapling from the sacred Sri Maha Bodhi will be officially handed over to Venerable Pannakara Thero and the delegation.

The walk will resume at 5:30 pm and conclude at 7:00 pm at the Gangaramaya Temple, officially concluding the campaign. (Newswire)

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The third day of the “Walk for Peace” pilgrimage commenced this morning (24) in front of the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic in Kandy.

Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya and the Maha Sangha of both monastic chapters participated in today’s event organized as part of the campaign’s third day.

The Most Venerable Pannakara Thero, who previously led a 110-day peace walk in the United States from Texas to Washington, covering ten states, arrived in Sri Lanka together with members of the Maha Sangha to lead this peace walk. 

According to the Prime Minister’s Office, prior to the commencement of the third day’s pilgrimage, PM Harini Amarasuriya and the Maha Sangha, including Venerable Pannakara Thero, paid homage to the Sacred Tooth Relic and engaged in religious observances. 

Thereafter, the Maha Sangha chanted pirith and invoked blessings from a special platform set up near the Pattirippuwa of the Temple.

The third day’s peace walk, which commenced near the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, will conclude at the Vidyawardhana Pirivena Pothgul Viharaya in Mawanella. 

The peace walk, which began from Dambulla to the Gangaramaya Temple in Colombo, is scheduled to end on April 28. (Newswire)

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The second day of the Walk for Peace campaign commenced in Matale today (23). 

The programme, held to promote world peace, commenced this morning from the Aluvihare Temple in Matale.

The Walk for Peace officially commenced yesterday from Dambulla, led by Ven. Pannakara Thero, and ‘Aloka the peace dog’, a certified service canine.

The programme, which continues until April 28, will conclude with a national ceremony at the Independence Square in Colombo, which will be held under the patronage of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake. 

At the ceremony, the Bodhi sapling carried during the walk will be officially handed over to the United States of America. (Newswire)

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The Walk for Peace programme, led by Venerable Pannakara Thera, commenced today (22) from the Dambulla Rajamaha Vihara.

Launching the programme, Venerable Pannakara Thera delivered a brief sermon, noting that peace arises within oneself by acting with mindfulness at all times.

The walk is scheduled to reach Matale town this afternoon and arrive at the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic in Kandy tomorrow (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 Colombo Independence Square in the evening, where the national ceremony will be held under the patronage of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake.

At the ceremony, the Bodhi sapling carried during the walk will be officially handed over to the United States of America.

The monks will remain in Sri Lanka until May 1, after which they are scheduled to depart for the United States together with a Sri Lankan delegation. (Newswire)

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President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has extended his support to the Walk for Peace pilgrimage, which commences today in Sri Lanka, highlighting its role in promoting mindfulness, loving‑kindness, unity, and harmony among all people.

“As this sacred walk sets out from Dambulla carrying the Sacred Relics of the Buddha and a Bodhi tree sapling, I invite all Sri Lankans to reflect on the enduring values of peace and compassion that define our heritage,” the President said in a statement on ‘X’.

The internationally recognized pilgrimage begins today with the arrival of a delegation of seven venerable monks led by Vietnamese Venerable Pannakara Thera. Symbolically joining the procession is “Aloka,” a dog accompanying the journey.

Scheduled from April 21 to 28 under full state patronage, the programme will see Venerable Pannakara Thera carry a sacred Bodhi sapling obtained from the Anuradhapura Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi, underscoring the spiritual significance of the walk. (Newswire)

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A delegation of seven venerable monks led by Vietnamese monk Venerable Pannakara Thera arrived in Sri Lanka this morning (21) to commence the internationally recognized ‘Walk for Peace’ pilgrimage.

Joining the procession is “Aloka,” a dog symbolically accompanying the journey, who has also safely arrived in the country. The programme, scheduled from April 21 to 28, is being held with full state patronage.

Venerable Pannakara Thera will carry a sacred Bodhi sapling obtained from the Anuradhapura Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi, underscoring the spiritual significance of the pilgrimage.

The initiative has drawn wide institutional support, including the Presidential Secretariat, Clean Sri Lanka programme, Ministry of Buddhist, Religious and Cultural Affairs, Ministry of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government, the Tri‑Forces, Police, and the National Design Centre, alongside numerous private organizations.

Organizers expect the pilgrimage to highlight Sri Lanka’s Buddhist heritage while also showcasing traditional arts and crafts to both local and international audiences. (Newswire)

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A second group of monks has arrived in Sri Lanka from Dallas–Fort Worth (DFW) International Airport, Texas, United States, to take part in the internationally renowned “Walk for Peace” pilgrimage programme.

The event, scheduled to be held from April 21 to 28, 2026, will take place under full state patronage. 

A delegation of monks led by the Most Venerable Pannakara Thero is expected to join the procession, which will carry a Bodhi sapling obtained from the sacred Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi in Anuradhapura.

The initiative is supported by a wide network of state and private institutions, including the Presidential Secretariat, the Clean Sri Lanka programme, the Ministry of Buddhist, Religious and Cultural Affairs, the Ministry of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government, the Tri‑Forces and Police, and the National Design Centre.

The “Walk for Peace” programme, celebrated globally for its message of unity and compassion, is set to highlight Sri Lanka’s cultural and spiritual heritage while fostering international goodwill. (Newswire)

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The internationally renowned Walk for Peace pilgrimage programme will take place in Sri Lanka from April 21 to 28, 2026, under full state patronage.

The programme will see the participation of a delegation of monks led by the Most Venerable Pannakara Thero, who is expected to join the procession carrying a Bodhi sapling obtained from the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi in Anuradhapura.

According to the Department of Government Information, this symbolic gesture is expected to inspire thousands of participants and highlight Sri Lanka’s Buddhist heritage.

A wide network of state and private institutions is supporting the initiative, including the Presidential Secretariat, the Clean Sri Lanka programme, the Ministry of Buddhist, Religious and Cultural Affairs, the Ministry of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government, the Tri‑Forces and Police, and the National Design Centre. 

Their collective involvement underscores the national importance of the pilgrimage. (Newswire)

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