President Pledges to Uphold the Spiritual Awakening Sparked by Global 'Walk for Peace'

COLOMBO (News 1st) - President Anura Kumara Dissanayake says that his vision remains to sustain the renewed Buddhist awakening witnessed in Sri Lanka as a result of the Walk for Peace and to elevate the country as an island of peace and humanity.

The President made these remarks during a meeting with Venerable Pannakara Thero of Vietnam at the Presidential Secretariat last night, following the conclusion of the Global Walk for Peace in the Island of Peace. 

Expressing gratitude on behalf of all Sri Lankans, the President commended the Thera's unwavering dedication to world peace.

Venerable Pannakara Thero expressed his heartfelt gratitude for the State patronage provided to ensure the success of the Walk for Peace, describing it as a truly "encouraging experience."

The Venerable Thero highlighted several key milestones of cooperation.

Pannakara Thero expressed his gratitude for the gifting of a Sapling of the Sacred Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi to the "Dhamma Chetiya" project in Texas, USA, which serves as a living bridge of Dhamma between Sri Lanka and the world.

Thera thanked the government for granting permission to exhibit Sacred Relics during the International Vesak celebrations at the Huong Dao Vipassana Meditation Center in the United States.

Venerable Pannakara Thero also made a special note of the love, care, and compassion shown towards "Aloka", the Peace Dog and other animals throughout the journey.

In a concluding statement, Ven. Pannakara Thero also extended his gratitude to the Maha Sangha and the people of Sri Lanka for their generosity and hospitality, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake for his invitation and the Tri - Forces and Sri Lanka Police for their unwavering support, The veterinary and medical teams, as well as all media organizations, for their dedicated efforts throughout the event.