A week-long “Walk for Peace” in Sri Lanka led by Buddhist monks from the USA concluded on Tuesday at Independence Square in Colombo, with Anura Kumara Dissanayake receiving the participants at the end of the march.
The initiative, led by US-based Vietnamese monk Pannakara Thero, was described by Sri Lanka’s Department of Government Information as “a symbolic gesture” to “inspire thousands and highlight Sri Lanka’s Buddhist heritage”.
The so-called “Walk for Peace” drew criticism as it was accompanied by an armed Sri Lankan military escort, with uniformed soldiers carrying rifles walking alongside the monks throughout the journey.
Sri Lanka’s military continues to play a dominant role in public life, including in the Tamil homeland.
Concerns also emerged during the march itself, after journalists covering the event reported being obstructed and threatened.
In a statement issued on 25 April, the Free Media Movement (FMM) condemned what it described as interference with media freedom and the obstruction of journalists attempting to report on the march.
The organisation highlighted an incident involving Lake House photographer Buwaneka S. Perera, who lodged a complaint with police after being verbally abused and threatened while carrying out his duties.
According to the FMM, Perera stated that while photographing the march, “a person pushed him and verbally threatened him, identifying himself as the Presidential Media Director”. Perera further alleged that the individual, identified as Chandana Suriya Bandara, told him that coverage of the march had been granted exclusively to a single television channel.
The FMM also reported that police officers at another location obstructed Perera, telling him, “Only Sirasa is allowed to report this”. The organisation described the incident as an unjustified interference with the duties of a media professional and said it had caused widespread concern within the media community.
It further criticised the conduct of officials involved, stating that individuals in such positions are expected to demonstrate professionalism and ensure equal access for all media institutions. The statement also raised concerns about broader restrictions on coverage, questioning how a decision could have been made to allow only one media outlet to report on an event of national significance.
In addition, the FMM said video evidence showed police attempting to remove another media advisor, Anuruddha Lokuhapuarachchi, while he was photographing the march.
The organisation concluded that authorities had failed to create a level playing field for media institutions and warned that the situation suggested either poor planning or deliberate bias. It called on the government to ensure equal access for all media.
The event has also drawn renewed attention to ongoing concerns over state-backed Buddhisisation across the island and Tamil homeland, where the construction of Buddhist temples, religious symbols and state-sponsored events have been criticised by Eelam Tamils as attempts to alter the cultural and religious landscape of the island.
Despite the controversy, Dissanayake met with Pannakara following the conclusion of the march.
In a statement shared on social media, he said:
“After the “Ehipassiko” Peace Walk for world peace, I met Venerable Pannakara Thero at the Presidential Secretariat for a cordial discussion yesterday. We aim to sustain the Buddhist awakening in Sri Lanka and uplift our nation as an island of peace and humanity. I extend my sincere gratitude for his dedication.”