"Sinhalese Buddhist， born in Sri Lanka. Pali scholar and a leading exponent of Theravada Buddhism. Travelled throughout the world， lecturing， broadcasting and founding Buddhist organizations. Stimulated Buddhist study in Australia， China， Vietnam， Nepal， the U.S.A. and the U.K. where he opened the London Buddhist Vihara in 1954. Translated the Dhammapada and wrote many books on Theravada Buddhism."

Publications include Buddhism in a Nutshell; The Buddha and His Teachings."