A senior police officer has urged the public to avoid obstructing the ongoing “Walk for Peace” pilgrimage and to allow participants to proceed without disruption.
Speaking at a meeting attended by K. D. Lalkantha, the officer revealed that “Aloka the Peace Dog,” the service canine accompanying the procession from Dambulla, fell ill after being overwhelmed by large crowds along the route.
He noted that excessive attention from onlookers, including attempts to take selfies, photos, and videos with the dog and monks, had caused significant delays and difficulties for the procession. Authorities had to step in to manage the situation.
The officer further stated that both the President’s Secretary and the Sri Lanka Police chief had contacted him via WhatsApp group calls regarding the issue.
The pilgrimage, led by Ven. Pannakara Thero and members of the Maha Sangha, began in Dambulla and concluded its latest leg in Matale yesterday.
According to the schedule, the procession will reach the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic on April 23. It will then proceed from there on April 24 to Beligammana Rajamaha Vihara, before continuing to Tholangamuwa on April 25.
The walk will resume on April 26 from Tholangamuwa to Yakkala, and on April 27 it will travel from Yakkala to Kelaniya Rajamaha Vihara.
The final leg on April 28 will see the procession arrive at Independence Square, where the national ceremony will be held under the patronage of Anura Kumara Dissanayake.
