The Global Walk for Peace in the Island of Peace – Sri Lanka, also called the Ehipassiko Peace Walk or simply the Walk for Peace, was a seven-day Buddhist pilgrimage and peace march held in Sri Lanka from 21 to 28 April 2026.

The event was led by Most Venerable Bhikkhu Paññākāra, a Theravada Buddhist monk from the Hương Đạo Vipassana Bhavana Center in Texas, USA.

The main goal of the walk was to spread the messages of peace, mindfulness, and loving-kindness (Metta). It followed a similar 108-day peace walk across the United States that took place earlier in 2026.

Background

Before coming to Sri Lanka, Venerable Paññākāra and a group of monks completed the Walk for Peace USA, walking from Texas to Washington, D.C. Their mission was to encourage non-violence and peaceful living.

The Sri Lankan peace walk continued this mission by celebrating the country’s rich Buddhist heritage and encouraging unity, harmony, and compassion among all people.

Route

The walk lasted for seven days, beginning in the ancient city of Anuradhapura and ending in Colombo, the commercial capital of Sri Lanka.

The pilgrimage started on 21 April 2026 with a group of twelve monks led by Venerable Paññākāra.

The opening ceremony took place near the sacred Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi, where the monks received blessings. During the ceremony, a sacred Bodhi sapling was presented, and important Buddhist relics, including relics from Nilagiri Cetiya, were carried in the procession as symbols of peace and unity.

Later that evening, special religious activities and an As Disa Pooja were held at Ruwanweliseya at 5:00 PM, sharing a message of compassion, mindfulness, and peace with the public.

At Gangaramaya Temple, we had the honor of presenting the iconic gift bearing the timeless quote, “Patience and fortitude conquer all things,” symbolizing resilience, unity, and peace. After waiting patiently for six hours, the moment finally arrived, making the experience even more meaningful and memorable.