HISTORY OF YMBA KELANIYA
On Sunday 03rd August 1958, an organization called Shi Kalyani Bauddha Samitiya was started at Pahal Biyanwila Boys School.
- 1st President is Mr. A.P. Weerasinghe
There are 5 Vise presidents named as K.P. Sumanapala, Palitha Weerasinghe, D.R. Jayamanna, P.E. Perera, S.K. Sooriyarachchi
- 1st Secretary is Mr. Jinadasa Dias Pathinayaka
- 1st Treasurer is Mr. D.P. Sooriyarachchi
1958.09.07. held the 1st General meeting in Biyanwila boys school. Then they have changed the name as Kelaniya Young Mens Buddhist Association (YMBA)
MESSAGE FROM KELANIYA NAYAKA THERO
The pioneer of the “Young Buddhist Society” movement, founded in 1898 with Anagarika Dharmapala as the chairman, was Sir DB Jayathilaka who resided in Waragoda, Kelaniya.
The pioneers of the Kelani Young Buddhist Society, which was established in 1958 under the patronage of the Nayak Theros of the Kelaniya area, were our Nayak Theros who were living in the Kelani area at that time.
The above two points were highlighted here to point out that Kelaniya is the birthplace of these cares. Kiribathgoda, Kelani Young Buddhist Society by 2024 is a happy thing to complete sixty-five years of maturing and gaining various experiences.
MESSAGE FROM Ven. MAKOLA MANGALA THERO
Looking at the history of Buddhist societies in Sri Lanka, Parama Vijnanartha Buddhist Society, which was established in 1880, was the first Buddhist organization to be established. Its pioneers were Buddhist leaders such as General Henry Steele Olcott, Hikkaduwa Sumangala, Migettuwatte Gunananda, and Dharmapala.
The Young Buddhist Society was founded on January 8, 1898 at the “Sarasavi Sandarasa” newspaper office in Maliban Street, Petakota with Anagarika Dharmapala as the chairman. The first chairman was Mr. Sir DB Jayathilaka who resided in Waragoda, Kelaniya.
He was the vice-principal of Ananda Vidyalaya, Colombo at that time. Mr. CS Dissanayake is the first secretary. Mr. CS Dissanayake is known as the pioneer of Young Buddhist Society. The initial number of members of this society, which started 125 years ago today, was forty two.
NOTICE BOARD