Sri Lanka, April 21 -- A group of Vietnamese monks based in the United States, including Venerables Pannakara and Ratanaguna, arrived in Sri Lanka early this morning (21) to take part in the global peace initiative "Ehipassiko", A Global Walk for Peace.

The delegation, accompanied by a group of lay followers and a dog named "Aloka," landed at Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) at 5.47 a.m., arriving from Istanbul, Turkey.

They were received at the Special Guests' Lounge by Minister of Religious and Cultural Affairs Dr. Hiniduma Sunil Senevi, Secretary to the President Dr. Sanath Nandika Kumara, and a group of government officials.

In an unusual highlight of the arrival, "Aloka" had travelled seated in a passenger seat alongside o...