The US-based group of 13 saffron-robed Buddhist monks, led by Vietnamese monk Pannakara, began a week-long peace walk from Dambulla toward Colombo, expected to arrive on April 28. Walking barefoot in searing heat up to 40°C (104°F), devotees poured water and laid banana leaves to help protect them. Their rescued mascot dog Aloka — who survived being hit by a car in India and joined the monks on their US trek — is being escorted by army commandos and has drawn global attention and donations. The peace walk promotes "peace for all beings, including animals," and has a social media following in the millions.
Saffron-Robed Monks and Celebrity Dog Aloka Begin Week-Long Peace Walk to Colombo
Vietnamese Buddhist monk Bhikkhu Pannakara offers water to his pet dog Aloka, a stray rescued from India, at the start of the 'Walk For Peace' pilgrimage in Dambulla, in northcentral Sri Lanka on April 22, 2026. (-)(-/AFP/AFP)
A group of 13 saffron-robed Buddhist monks, led by Vietnamese monk Pannakara, launched a week-long peace walk across Sri Lanka on Wednesday, setting off at dawn from the historic Buddhist temple in Dambulla, about 160 kilometres (100 miles) north of Colombo.
The small procession is accompanied by Aloka, a rescued stray dog who has become a media sensation. The group won international attention during a previous 108-day, roughly 3,700-kilometre (2,300-mile) trek from Texas to Washington, DC, where they endured freezing conditions and ice-covered roads. In stark contrast, the current march is taking place barefoot in Sri Lanka's hottest season, when daytime temperatures can climb to around 40°C (104°F).
Devotees along the route sought to shield the monks from the heat by pouring water onto the streets and laying down green banana leaves and flowers for them to walk on. Others were seen sprinkling water on the group to cool them as they progressed toward the capital.
Organisers say the mission promotes "peace for all beings, including animals". The walkers are expected to reach Colombo on April 28, where they will be received by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, organisers told AFP.
Aloka, the monks' mascot, was rescued in India and first began following them there. The dog remained with the group after being struck by a car and later accompanied them on their high-profile US journey, drawing donations and widespread attention that helped fund the travels.
"The cost of flying Aloka to Colombo from Texas was ten times that of an ordinary passenger taking the same route," said a Sri Lankan monk handling local arrangements.
At the head of the brisk procession, Aloka walked on a leash under the watch of elite army commandos; two commandos were reported flanking the dog as the group moved quickly. Sri Lanka's police kennels department was also mobilised to prevent local street dogs from approaching or attacking the mascot.
The peace walk has a substantial online following: its Facebook page has more than three million followers, and a livestream of the Sri Lanka leg recorded over 51,000 views within the first five hours.
Why it matters: The march draws attention to nonviolent activism, the human-animal bond and grassroots peace advocacy while blending a remarkable international backstory — from India to the United States and now Sri Lanka.
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