An interfaith coalition comprised of Buddhist, Christian, Hindu, and Muslim faith leaders of Sri Lanka joined a group of US-based Buddhist monastics during a week-long peace walk across Sri Lanka that concluded on 28 April at Independence Square in Colombo.

The closing ceremony for the Ehipassiko Peace Walk—ehipassiko is a Pali term often translated as “come and see”—was attended by Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, parliamentarians, religious leaders, and peace campaigners. The walk was led by Ven. Pannakara Thera and a delegation of 12 monks associated with the recent Walk for Peace in the United States. The group had arrived in Sri Lanka on 21 April,* continuing a peace pilgrimage that had earlier taken them from Texas to Washington, DC.

The walk began from Dambulla Rajamaha Viharaya on 22 April and followed a route through central and western Sri Lanka, including Kandy, Belligammana, Tholangamuwa, Yakkala, Kelaniya, and Colombo. As previously reported by BDG, the procession was accompanied by sacred Buddha relics, a Bodhi sapling from Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi, and Aloka, the rescue dog who has become a companion of the monastic delegation.*

“When people gather, they must meet in harmony, act in harmony, and disperse in harmony,” Ven. Pannakara Thera said. (UCA News)

“If we cannot govern our own inner world with wisdom, how can we expect the outer world to remain peaceful?” Ven. Pannakara said during a talk at Colombo’s Independence Square. (Paxton Media)

The venerable emphasized that peace must be reflected in ordinary conduct and social relations. “A peaceful nation must respect and uphold justice and ethical principles, and avoid impulsive or harmful actions toward all sentient beings,” he said. (UCA News)

Ven. Pannakara also called for the protection of Sri Lanka’s spiritual and cultural heritage, saying that sacred places, religious traditions, and teachings serve as anchors for a nation’s identity. Speaking in Colombo, he linked inner discipline with wider social harmony, saying that peace begins within the individual and extends outward.

The walk drew widespread support from communities along the route. Christian clergy welcomed the monks into churches, offered flowers, and provided food. Christians and Muslims also laid banana-leaf and flower carpets on the road as the barefoot monks passed. The Christian Theological College of Lanka, an ecumenical seminary in Pilimatalawa, arranged a dana, or meal offering, for the monks on 24 April. Retired Bishop Winston Fernando of Badulla, together with Christian priests and nuns, attended the concluding event.

An Anglican Christian who joined the walk, Sarath Fernando, said the event showed that harmony among ordinary people could be achieved through action rather than lectures. Rights activist Mohamed Faizer said the Muslim community welcomed the Buddhist monks at Asna Central Mosque in Akurana on 23 April.

“Despite different faiths, people share a common human journey toward peace, compassion, and understanding, and shared experiences,” Faizer said. (UCA News)

Animal rights activist Nirasha Sadani said participants also welcomed Aloka, the former stray dog from India who has accompanied the monks on their international walks. “We hope the same love and compassion will be extended to all street dogs in the country,” Sadani said, adding that Sri Lanka had an estimated 2.5 million stray dogs. (UCA News)

At the closing ceremony, President Dissanayake praised the pilgrimage for promoting peace, compassion, and coexistence in Sri Lanka’s multi-ethnic and multi-religious society. He also said that religious leaders had a responsibility to protect the dignity and essence of religious institutions. Buddhism is given the “foremost place” under Sri Lanka’s constitution, while freedom of religion is also protected. According to 2024 census data, 69.8 per cent of Sri Lankans identify as Theravada Buddhists, 12.6 per cent as Hindus, 10.7 per cent as Muslims, and 6.9 per cent as Christians.

* Buddhist Monks Undertake Week-long Walk for Peace Across Sri Lanka (BDG)

See more

US-based Buddhist monks conclude ‘peace walk’ in Sri Lanka (UCA News)
Monk ends barefoot Sri Lanka trek with a dog and plea for peace (Paxton Media)
‘Walk for Peace’ Delegation of Monks Arrives in Sri Lanka (news.lk)

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