About

Venerable Makola Nanda (also known as Bhante Nanda) is the Spiritual Director of the Alberta Insight Meditation Centre. He was born in 1985 in the village of Makola, located in the Gampaha District of Sri Lanka’s Western Province. At the age of 19, Bhante Nanda entered the Buddhist monastic order as a novice (sāmaṇera) in 2004, and in 2006 he received his Higher Ordination (Upasampadā) at the Kanduboda Siyane International Insight Meditation Centre in Sri Lanka.

Bhante Nanda’s preceptor is the Most Venerable Maha Kammatthanacharya Inguruwatte Piyananda Maha Thero, the Mahā Nāyaka of the Sri Lanka Sāgini Sect. His principal meditation teachers include the Most Venerable Gampaha Pemasiri Maha Thero, founder of the Sumatipala Nahimi Senāsana Āranya in Kanduboda, Sri Lanka, and the Venerable Kammatthanacharya Madawala Upāli Maha Thero, founder of the Rathmalkanda Meditation Centre in Kithal Ella, Ella, Sri Lanka.

In 2009, Bhante Nanda earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Buddhist Philosophy from the Buddhist and Pali University of Sri Lanka, a leading Asian institution for Buddhist studies. Prior to coming to Canada, he served for two years at the Daham Nikethanaya in Victoria, Australia.

Venerable Omare Somissara Thero, also known as Bhante Somissara, began his monastic journey in 1992 in southern Sri Lanka. He received higher ordination in 2001 under the guidance of the Most Venerable Gampaha Pemasiri Nayaka Thero, further strengthening his commitment to the Dhamma.

Bhante Somissara pursued extensive monastic and academic training, including studies in Pali at the University of Peradeniya, alongside years of meditative practice in forest hermitages across Sri Lanka. He has also shared the Dhamma widely through television and radio, and served at the Bauddhaya Media Network in Colombo.

Since 2017, Bhante Somissara has been offering spiritual guidance internationally, particularly in Australia, conducting meditation retreats, religious observances, and community programs. Since February 2026, he has been serving at the Alberta Insight Meditation Centre, continuing his dedication to teaching and community engagement. Known for his calm presence and clarity in teaching, Bhante Somissara is a respected and compassionate guide to Buddhist communities both in Sri Lanka and abroad.

Reverend Welimada Damitha (known as Bhante Damitha) was born in 1989 in the village of Alawathugoda, located in the Welimada area of the Badulla District in Sri Lanka. After completing his secondary education, he chose to pursue the monastic life. With the permission of his parents, he selected Kanduboda Sumatipala Nahimi Senāsana Āranya, a meditation centre in Sri Lanka, as his place of residence and training.

Following foundational monastic training, Bhante Damitha ordained as a novice (sāmaṇera) in 2010 under the guidance of the Venerable Gampaha Pemasiri Maha Thero, the meditation master of the monastery. Under his preceptor’s direction, he completed the full course of training required of an ordained Buddhist monk.

Bhante Damitha is a well-trained monk capable of conducting a wide range of Buddhist practices and activities. He has guided and supported many individuals on the path of the Buddha and has shared his knowledge through visits to several Asian countries. In recognition of his experience and abilities, the Alberta Buddhist Vihara Association invited him to serve as a resident monk at the Alberta Insight Meditation Centre in 2018. Bhante Damitha kindly accepted this invitation and currently resides at the AIM Centre, where he continues to support the congregation.