A discussion on providing state patronage for the “Walk for Peace Programme in Sri Lanka” was held at the Presidential Secretariat, with the participation of a group of Venerable monks who undertook a 110-day peace walk across 10 states from Texas to Washington in the United States.

The discussion was held last afternoon (02), chaired by Venerable Dr. Melpitiye Wimalakitthi Thero and attended by Secretary to the President Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, according to the President’s Media Division (PMD).

For the “Walk for Peace Programme in Sri Lanka,” twelve monks led by the founder of the American peace walk, Venerable Pannakara Thero, are scheduled to arrive in the country on the 21st of this month. The peace walk will then be carried out over seven days, from April 22 to April 28, with the participation of the Maha Sangha and a group of devotees.

On April 21, the activities of the peace walk will commence after receiving blessings in front of the sacred Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi in historic Anuradhapura. A sapling of the sacred Sri Maha Bodhi, obtained with the blessings of the Maha Sangha led by the Chief Incumbent of the Atamasthana, will also be ceremonially carried during the peace walk.

Furthermore, following special religious observances held in front of the historic Ruwanweli Maha Seya, the message of peace will be conveyed to the people of the Anuradhapura District, the PMD said.

On the morning of April 22, following the offering of Sanghagatha Dakshina, the peace walk will recommence from the sacred city of Dambulla. The procession is scheduled to pass through Naula, Matale, Kandy, Kadugannawa, Kegalle, Tholangamuwa, Kajugama, Yakkala, Mahara, and Kelaniya before reaching Independence Square on April 28.

Marking the conclusion of the peace walk, the sapling of the Sri Maha Bodhi that was ceremonially carried will be officially handed over by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake to the Maha Sangha who arrived from the United States on a diplomatic basis, it added.

This peace walk, which will also be supported by the Clean Sri Lanka Secretariat, was discussed in detail with regard to organizational arrangements, including the provision of alms and refreshments for the monks, sanitation facilities, and security arrangements.

Also present on the occasion were the Secretary to the Ministry of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs, W.P. Senadheera; the Secretary to the Ministry of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs, Ravi Seneviratne; Senior Additional Secretary to the President, Roshan Gamage; Additional Secretary to the President at the Clean Sri Lanka Secretariat, S.P.C. Sugeeshwara; Chairman of the National Design Centre, Sisira Amarabandu; Presidential Media Adviser, Chandana Sooriyabandara; Inspector General of Police, Attorney-at-Law Priyantha Weerasooriya; along with senior officers of the tri-forces and senior officials of the Presidential Secretariat.