{"id":154705,"date":"2026-02-13T17:07:37","date_gmt":"2026-02-14T00:07:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.lankaweb.com\/news\/items\/?p=154705"},"modified":"2026-02-13T17:07:37","modified_gmt":"2026-02-14T00:07:37","slug":"sri-lanka-must-invite-ven-pannakara-and-his-band-of-19-tireless-theravada-monks-visit-sri-lanka-to-a-warm-welcome-and-as-part-of-strengthening-vietnam-sri-lanka-buddhist-ties","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.lankaweb.com\/news\/items\/2026\/02\/13\/sri-lanka-must-invite-ven-pannakara-and-his-band-of-19-tireless-theravada-monks-visit-sri-lanka-to-a-warm-welcome-and-as-part-of-strengthening-vietnam-sri-lanka-buddhist-ties\/","title":{"rendered":"Sri Lanka must invite Ven. Pannakara and his band\u00a0 of 19 tireless Theravada monks visit Sri Lanka to a warm welcome and as part of strengthening\u00a0Vietnam – Sri Lanka Buddhist ties"},"content":{"rendered":"

Senaka Weeraratna<\/strong> (with AI assistance)<\/strong><\/em><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n

https:\/\/share.google\/aimode\/YIDE6JSLNgf8GTkn6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Vietnamese Buddhist Monk Ven. Pannakara Thero is on the Global centre stage today. His Walk for Peace in the USA lasting 108 Days across 8 States has raised the stature of Vietnam in the Buddhist World to an unparalleled high level. He has brought world attention to a cause of Buddhism –<\/p>\n\n\n\n

in the USA  – ‘ Declare Vesak a National Holiday ‘  without firing a single bullet without using a gun without an iota of violence. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

He has created a new dimension for peaceful protests in the USA like what Mahatma Gandhi did in India in his day about 100 years ago when demanding freedom and independence from Britain by use of non – violence and satyagraha.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

 All strength to the elbow of Ven. Pannakara and his travelling band of 19 Monks. He has given leadership to the cause of Buddhism at a time when the term ‘leadership’ and ‘outspokenness’ for any cause of Buddhism are virtually non – existent and conspicuous by their absence. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ven. Pannakara has the potential of being idolized worldwide like a Rock Star but for noble worthy causes. He has done for Buddhism with his simplicity and directness which no other Buddhist figure has done in recent times. He has become the rage that is sweeping the entire globe and touching the hearts of both Buddhists and Non – Buddhists alike. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Being the country that has the longest history of uninterrupted Sri Lanka must unhesitatingly invite Ven. Pannakara and his band of 19 Theravada monks visit Sri Lanka to a warm welcome and as part of the oncoming Vesak Celebration. Let us Buddhists tell Ven. Pannakara and his gallant band that ‘ We and them are One’ <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Let us also use this occasion to remind the Vietnamese Buddhists that 63 years ago both the Govt. of Sri Lanka and the Buddhist Public stood by them in their hour of crisis. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Vietnam and Sri Lanka Buddhist Ties<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sri Lanka (then Ceylon) played a pivotal role in supporting Vietnamese Buddhists during the 1963 Buddhist Crisis<\/strong>, providing both diplomatic pressure and grassroots solidarity. <\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Key support from Sri Lanka included:<\/p>\n\n\n\n