Baddegama Samitha Thera

He was born on 14 September 1952 at Opatha Naiduwa Estate in Baddegama, Dominion of Ceylon (now Sri Lanka). He became a novice on 24 June 1965 and was ordained Upasampada on June 25, 1972. He was a student of Ven. Ganegama Sri Saranankara Thera and received his primary education from Opatha Government College; Baddegama Rathanasara College, and Baddegama Rathanasara Vidya Pirivena. He entered Kelaniya University in 1976, and got involved in student politics by becoming an active member of the left-wing student movement at the university. He also served as the president of the student wing. But in 1978 his studentship at the university was suspended due to a student clash that occurred. He was not allowed to complete his degree at the Kelanya University. ==Political life==

Ven. Samitha continued with his politics and through the party, he attended many international seminars. It was while attending a seminar on Third World development in Germany in 1986, that he went across to England where, he received a scholarship to Lancaster University. == Death ==

He was receiving treatment at the Karapitiya Teaching Hospital in Galle for COVID-19. Samitha Thera recovered and stayed at the Sri Pada Chaithyarama Temple in Gothatuwa, Baddegama for about 10 days. However his condition worsened again and he attended a private hospital in Matara. Later, Samitha Thera died on 30 May 2021 due to COVID-19 pneumonia complications at the age of 69 while receiving treatment. The funeral was held at the Baddegama Crematorium on the afternoon of May 30 in accordance with quarantine rules. Prior to the cremation, religious activities including the offering of memorial garments on behalf of Samitha Thera were held at the Baddegama Town Hall with the participation of the Maha Sangha. ==References==