Kandy Buddhist Association needs a helping hand

Victor Alahakoon Peradeniya Special Corr.

The Kandy Buddhist Association (KBA) building dating back to the time of the Colonial rule in Sri Lanka is in a dilapidated condition and needs urgent renovation and reconstruction.

The KBA is the first Buddhist Organization started in Kandy with a recorded history of over five decades and was established on January 29, 1945 at the time of the Second World when Kandy was occupied as the Headquarters of the Allied Forces of the South East Asia under command of the Admiral Lord Louis Mountbatten. It was also at that time that a Dutch National, Bhikku Dhammapala in his lay life Henry Vam Zeyst residing in Kandy pioneered in the founding of the Association.

The fundamental objective of the Association had been to impart the teachings of the Buddha to the public and promote and foster social activities.

The Association during the last 60 years, has not only promoted and fostered these traditions. but also, in keeping with its motto Kamah Bhaveti Angato has activated its members to establish a Children’s Home, “The Sarana Sevana Childrens Home” at Mawilmada in 1976, a library of Buddhist Literature started in 1949 an annual oratorical and essay competition for schoolchildren started in 1956, Dhamma and meditation classes started in 1980.

The Kandy Humanitarian Organization to spread the message of love and compassion in society started in 1991 an elders’ home “The Sarana Sevana Elders Home” at Mawilmada providing accommodation to 30 inmates in 1997, the KB in association with Help Age Sri lanka maintains a “Help-A-Grand Scheme as a supportive arm for poor elders who are the beneficiaries of the extended family system prevailing according to the Eastern Cultural practices. The KBA has also organized several tree planting campaigns with the assistance of schoolchildren in the district.

Administrative work for the above activities are conducted in an office complex which also house an audience hall which needs immediate renovation and reconstruction.

The plan to renovate and reconstruct the place has already been approved by the Kandy Municipal Council. The renovation work is estimated at a cost of Rs. 6 million and it will be a great merit if donations are heading to A/c. No. 158 200130005485. People’s Bank, Senkadagala Branch, Kandy.

The KBA building fund is an approved charity.

A Committee to monitor the activities of the building program led by Dr. C. Godamunne, President of the KBA has been formed, the members are L.R.L. Perera, Trustee KBA, Gamini Samarathunge Asst.

Secretary KBA Attorney-at-Law, K.P. Jinasena, Secretary, KBA, Retired Law Courts Registrar, Aurvedic Dr. Ranbandara Dharmadasa - Treasurer, KBA, Chairman Building Committee Asanga Thillekerathne, Attorney-at-Law, R.C. Thadani Trustee KBA and S.A. Senarath, Administrative Secretary KBA.