A saffron-robed Buddhist monk ended a grueling barefoot walk across Sri Lanka on Tuesday with an impassioned appeal for world peace and kindness towards animals. Accompanied by a rescued stray dog, Texas-based Vietnamese monk Pannakara walked 210 kilometers (131 miles) to reach the capital Colombo, where he was received by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake. Hundreds of thousands of Sri Lankans lined the route from the north-central town of Dambulla during the week-long walk to offer Pannakara and his 12 fellow monks flowers and gifts.
They…