Bhante Kamalasiri, born in Wendaruva village near Karalliyadda town in Sri Lanka, arrived in the United States in December 2021 to serve Pittsburgh Buddhist Center (PBC).  Bhante became a Buddhist monk in 1997, at the age of 13 years, and received his higher ordination in 2008. His monastic training was under the tutelage of most Venerable Nagollagoda Rahula Nayaka Thero of Sri Sarananda Pirivena in Karawitagara, Chilaw, Sri Lanka. In addition to his monastic education, he earned a bachelor’s degree in Buddhist studies, Sanskrit, and Sinhala from the University of Peradeniya in 2007, and served as the vice principal and teacher at Sri Sarananda Pirivena, Karawitagara, Chilaw. Then, while completing a master’s degree in Buddhist studies from the University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka in 2018, he served as the principal of Karawitagara Sri Gunarathana Dhamma School promoting Buddhist education among children.  Bhante then travelled to Cyprus, in 2019, to pursue a master’s-level English course at the American College, Nicosia, Cyprus.  Currently residing at the Pittsburgh Buddhist Center, Bhante Kamalasiri conducts meditation programs, Buddhism classes for children and Pali chanting classes for adults while overseeing the PBC’s library.