A Sri Lankan Theravada Buddhist elder. Born in Sri Lanka in April 1945. Ordained at the age of 13. After teaching Buddhist philosophy at the National University of Kelaniya in Sri Lanka, he came to Japan in 1980 as a government-sponsored international student. After completing his doctoral program at Komazawa University, he is currently engaged in the propagation of early Buddhism and meditation instruction at the Japan Theravada Buddhist Association. He also gives lectures and seminars nationwide, continuing to preach the fundamental teachings of the Buddha. He also serves as a lecturer at the Asahi Culture Center (Tokyo) (From "BOOK Author Introduction Information": This data was published at the time of the publication of "Don't Give Up" Kadokawa SSC Shinsho)