Gangodawila Soma Thera

Gangodawila Soma Thera (24 April 1948 – 12 December 2003) was a Theravada bhikkhu (Buddhist monk) from Sri Lanka. Following tradition, the Thera used the name of their birthplace, Gangodawila, in front of their dharma name; Thera denotes an elder monk. A prominent preacher and social reformer, Ven. Soma Thera played a pivotal role in the revival of Sinhala Buddhism in Sri Lanka during the late 20th century. Their accessible sermons, broadcast on television, inspired thousands, particularly youth, to embrace Buddhist principles. Soma Thera founded the Buddhist Vihara Victoria in Australia and led campaigns against alcoholism and superstition. Their sudden death in 2003 sparked controversy, with a Presidential Commission yielding mixed conclusions. Soma Thera's legacy endures through commemorative events, a postal stamp, and their influence on Buddhist activism.