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

The Thero had been battling an illness for some time and was undergoing long-term care at the hospital.

A highly influential religious figure, 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 on both television and radio, becoming a household name in Sri Lankan Buddhist circles. The Thero also mentored a generation of monks...