History of Buddhist Societies in Sri Lanka
The Buddhist Theosophical Society (BTS)
The first Buddhist society established in Sri Lanka was the Buddhist Theosophical Society, founded on June 17, 1880. Buddhist leaders such as Colonel Henry Steel Olcott, Ven. Hikkaduwe Sri Sumangala, Ven. Migettuwatte Gunananda, and Anagarika Dharmapala pioneered this movement at No. 54, Maliban Street, Colombo.

Objectives:

Nurturing and spreading Buddhism.

Establishing Dhamma schools nationwide to teach the Pali language and Abhidhamma.

Training programs for monks and ordaining youth.

Promoting Buddhist culture, literature, and art.

Improving the moral and social status of Buddhists.

Establishing orphanages, elder homes, and a pre-school system.

On November 1, 1886, the first Buddhist English school was started on Maliban Street with Mr. C.W. Leadbeater as the first principal. This institution eventually became Ananda College, the premier center for Buddhist education in Sri Lanka. Due to space constraints, it was moved to Maradana. After Mr. Leadbeater left the country in 1888, Mr. A.E. Buultjens became the principal—making him the first Ceylonese principal of Ananda College.

The Women’s Buddhist Association
On March 24, 1889, the first Buddhist women's association was formed under the name "Nari Shiksha Dana Samitiya." Under its guidance, Sanghamitta College and Buddhist Girls' College were established. Mrs. Marie Musaeus Higgins, who arrived in Sri Lanka in 1891, gave new life to this society.

The Maha Bodhi Society
On Vesak Poya day, May 31, 1891, the Buddha Gaya Maha Bodhi Society was founded by Anagarika Dharmapala at the Maligakanda Pirivena.

First President: Ven. Hikkaduwe Sri Sumangala.

Director: Colonel Henry Steel Olcott.

Joint Secretaries: Anagarika Dharmapala and Mr. P.P. Weerasekera.

Treasurer: Mr. W. de Abrew.
This society established over 60 schools, including Maha Bodhi Dharmadutha College, Dematagoda Maha Bodhi Shasthralaya, Ananda Balika Vidyalaya (Colombo), and Hewavitara Vidyalaya (Rajagiriya).

The Young Men’s Buddhist Association (YMBA)
Founded on January 8, 1898, by 20 young men at the BTS headquarters.

General Secretary: Mr. C.S. Dissanayake.

Chairman of the inaugural meeting: Don David Hewavitarana (Anagarika Dharmapala).

First President: Mr. D.B. Jayatilaka (then Principal of Ananda College), who held the post until his death (1898–1944).

The Birth of the YMBA
Modelled after the YMCA (Young Men’s Christian Association), the Colombo YMBA was established in a small house in Maradana in 1898, based on an idea by Sir D.B. Jayatilaka. Interestingly, some of the early supporters were Christians.

Key Goals:

Restoring and facilitating the study and spread of Buddhism.

Developing Buddhist schools and organizing the youth.

As membership grew, they needed a larger space. Mr. F.R. Senanayake and Sir D.B. Jayatilaka decided to buy the "Mahanil" mansion in Borella. They successfully negotiated the price down from Rs. 125,000 to Rs. 70,000. Since the YMBA didn't have the funds, Mr. F.R. Senanayake personally mortgaged two of his own land deeds (valued at Rs. 200,000) to secure the purchase.

Today, there are over 240 YMBA branches across Sri Lanka. In September 2025, the Colombo YMBA celebrated its 127th anniversary with great pride.

All Ceylon Buddhist Congress (ACBC)
Founded under the leadership of Sir D.B. Jayatilaka, this powerful organization works for the upliftment of Buddhists.

Main Objectives:

Protecting the rights of Buddhism and Buddhists.

Developing relationships between Buddhist associations.

Representing Buddhists in matters affecting them.

Providing a forum for Buddhists to discuss their needs.

Developing the spirit of generosity (Dana).

To achieve these, several national councils were formed, covering Religious and Cultural Affairs, International Affairs, Social Services, Youth Affairs, and Child Care.

All Ceylon Buddhist Women’s Congress
Established on July 12, 1949, by a group of motivated women led by Mrs. B.S. Jayawardena, this was the first association specifically for Buddhist women.

Objectives:

Encouraging research on Buddhist education.

Building a lifestyle based on the Dhamma.

Protecting rights and organizing Sil programs.

Establishing hostels for women and a Buddhist library.

Alleviating suffering caused by poverty, unemployment, and disease.

World Fellowship of Buddhists (WFB)
Scholars realized that while divided into Theravada, Mahayana, and Vajrayana, all were disciples of the same Buddha. On Vesak Poya, May 25, 1950, the WFB was established at the Temple of the Tooth (Dalada Maligawa) in Kandy. Dr. G.P. Malalasekera was appointed the first president.

Kelaniya Young Men’s Buddhist Association (Kelaniya YMBA)
Founded in August 1958 as the "Sri Kalyani Buddhist Society" at the Biyanwila Government Boys' School. The inaugural meeting was chaired by Ven. Kiriwaththuduwe Sri Pragnasara.

Key Milestones:
First Land Purchase: 100 perches on Kandy Road, Kiribathgoda, bought for Rs. 7,500.

Headquarters: The foundation stone was laid on November 12, 1959. The building was officially opened in May 1973.

Library: Modernized into an automated library using the Koha Automation System. It contains over 10,000 books and is registered with the government (NLR/OL/2023/029).

Social Services of Kelaniya YMBA:
Children's Home: Started on March 6, 1960, in Heiyanthuduwa. It later moved to Mahara but was closed in 2008 due to land lease issues.

Udupila Male Elder Home: Founded on January 7, 1963, thanks to an initiative by Mr. S.K.K. Suriarachchi (MP for Mahara).

A Secret Fact: The land was donated by a Muslim gentleman who wanted a Justice of the Peace (JP) title. Mr. Suriarachchi suggested he perform a significant social service first, leading to the donation of the land and house worth Rs. 15,000.

Wabada Female Elder Home: Established on December 6, 1991.

Irene Tilakaratne Female Elder Home: Located in Imbulgoda, opened on June 23, 2010, by then-First Lady Shiranthi Rajapaksa.

Notable Personalities
Ananda Rajakaruna (The Great Poet)
A famous teacher, writer, and editor born in 1885. He wrote "Kelani Netha" in 1943 at the request of the Kelaniya Buddhist Society. He used poetry to promote patriotism and religious devotion.

K.P. Sumanapala
A former government surveyor and successful businessman (known as the "Makolite Marble Gentleman"). He was a massive philanthropist who donated land and houses to his employees and was a pillar of the Kelaniya YMBA.

R.G. Senanayake (Richard Gotabhaya Senanayake)
A prominent politician and son of F.R. Senanayake. He was instrumental in securing the land for the Kelaniya YMBA. He was known for his courageous stand on national issues, such as the 1953 Rice-Rubber Pact with China.

Ven. Kiriwaththuduwe Sri Pragnasara
A scholar monk and Vice-Chancellor of Vidyalankara University. He was a master of Pali and Sanskrit and a highly respected Dhamma preacher who provided the spiritual foundation for the Kelaniya YMBA.