NATIONALVen. Baddegama Samitha Thero passes away from COVID-19 May 30, 202130 Share0 (UTV | COLOMBO) – Former parliamentarian and former Southern Provincial Councilor Ven. Baddegama Samitha Thero has passed away due to COVID-19 at a private hospital in Matara. The Thero was 69 at the time of his demise.