Sri Lanka, May 29 -- Venerable Bandarawela Amithananda Thera, a respected and beloved preacher in Sri Lanka, passed away this afternoon while receiving treatment at the National Hospital Colombo (NHC).

According to hospital sources, the Thera had been battling an illness for some time and was under long-term care at the hospital.

Venerable Amithananda Thero was the founder of the Delgoda Youth Center for Dhamma, where he dedicated his life to guiding the country's youth on the path of Buddhism and moral discipline.

He rose to national prominence through his impactful sermons broadcast over both television and radio, becoming a household name in Sri Lankan Buddhist circles. In addition to his public teachings, the Thero mentored a gen...