Anagarika Dharmapala

Anagarika Dharmapala (September 17, 1864 – April 29, 1933) was a Sri Lankan Buddhist revivalist and social reformer who played a key role in the renaissance of Buddhism in Sri Lanka and India. Born in Colombo as Don David Hewavitharane, he became one of the leading figures of the Buddhist revival movement in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. He traveled extensively across Asia and the world to promote Buddhism and founded the Mahabodhi Society of India. Dharmapala was also involved in the Indian independence movement and was a recipient of the Romanian Order of the Crown. He is considered a national hero in Sri Lanka and his birthday is celebrated as a national day.