Twelve Sinhalese and Tamil members gathered together on the Poson full moon poya day, 2473 AD or 16th June 1929. They formed the Negombo Buddhist Moral Development Society at Sri Dhammananda Awasa on Chillaw Road, Negombo. . The lofty goals of our society, which we have been working towards progressing day by day till now, are as follows.

1. Development of culture and morality.
2. Establishment and control of schools.
3. Development of education.
4. Propagation of Buddha Dharma.
5. Creating harmony among certain people.
6. Upliftment of physical, mental, social and economic conditions among the members.

Mr P.A.D.S. Jayathilaka was the chairman at the beginning and the secretary was Mr D.B. Vaidyasekera. Mr M.J Soysa was the treasurer. The membership has grown to 174 within a month of its inception. The opening sermon was delivered by Ven Dewamottawe Sasana Thisa, Ven Negombo Angurukaramulla Ubhayasekararamadhipati.

More than 400 people attended the semi-anniversary ceremony held at the Negombo Town Hall on 22 December 1929, presided over by Mr Tuder Ranasinghe, Advocate. On June 22, 1932, a sermon was held for the inmates of Negombo Prison by conducting this week. Within a short period of 8 months, the Samiti had to vacate the place because the Lords who owned Dhammananda Avasa leased this place to other religious people. A meeting was held at the dispensary at the Negombo Fiscal Junction on August 1, 1930. Mr Subasingha Korale has temporarily given his pleasure for the use of Negombo Ukwatta Land Society.

On April 13, 1930, the New Socity Hall built on the Ukwatta land in Negombo was paid for and shortly after, a Sunday school was started on March 29, 1931. A night English class was started in 1932.

It is said that in 1938, Mr Jayathilaka Registrar Ralahami, who was the Chairman of the society, bought the land where the Negombo Buddhist Center is located and gave 1300 rupees as a grant and the rest was given as a loan. It seems that Mr Lional Samarathunga, attorney at law, worked as a secretary at that time.

Negombo Baudda Sadacharawardana Society was registered as a limited company in 1938. After that, in 1944, Mr Jayathilaka, who was the chairman at that time passed away, the association paid money and took steps to free the land and protect it by a trustee board.

On May 5, 1949, the foundation stone was laid for the initial building of this land. Mulder A.N.D.A.Abeysinghe who was the chairman, Uttara Minister Hector De Soysa Siriwardhana, R. Gunadasa, D.J.M.WItharana, D.M.Jayathilaka, P.Ediriweera, Devid Mendis, Advocate Tuder Ranasinghe, W.M.Munasinghe, D.G. Mr Gunasekara have participated.

On September 12, 1954, the association’s 25th-anniversary celebration was held with the participation of about one hundred members.

Uttara Minister Hector De Soysa Siriwardhana has been appointed as the new chairman. It is reported that on October 07, 1954, on the occasion of the opening of the new building, an all-night sermon was given and the next day, a Sansagata Dakshina was presented.

On November 28, 1954, for the first time, a prize-giving ceremony was held for Dhamma school children, and the prizes were distributed by Most Venerable Narada Thero, a resident of Bambalapitiya, Vajirama.

On February 06, 1955, the first religious movement was held at the Buddhist Mandir Hall on Pura Pasaloswaka Poya Day to mark the dawn of a new program. During this time, funds have been started for some activities of the association by renting out the social hall. Also, during this period, the establishment of the Kulagana Samiti and the Sri Vaishakhadana Youth Samiti, affiliated to the Buddhist Sadacharawardana Samiti, led to meeting the needs of the time. On April 06, 1955, on the full moon day, the marble Buddha statue was placed in the Buddha temple.

During this time, the association has started many different social service activities. Meanwhile, financial support was provided for the temple built in the Negombo Health Hall, drought support was provided to Rajarata, support classes were started, and Dharma talks, Dharma sermons, and virtuous campaigns were held.

A 100 feet long six-colour Buddhist flag was put up for the celebration of the 2500 BC Buddha Jayanti, and it was put up on Nikini Poya day in 1956.

During this period, Mrs W.AT.Silva, a resident of Kandy, started the construction of the two-storied Vihara Mandir. In 1956 the association was registered as a charitable institution.

On January 2, 1958, food parcels were distributed to the orphans of the flood with the kind support of all Bodu Samiti companies in the area. On May 22, 1958, District Judge Lionel Samaratunga was appointed as the new Chairman of the association. Mr K.Meemeduwa has been appointed as Treasurer. The founder of the reading hall, which was opened on July 8, 1958, was S.W. Mr Ranaraja.

In 1958, Venerable Mahava Sumedha Thero consecrated the house. Since January 1959, two mountain lanterns have been placed in front of the Dalada Mandir and another important event has taken place. In 195, the right side of the house adjacent to the land bearing No. 105/1 advocate S. A. Rajapaksa’s According to instructions, it is available for purchase.

On April 1, 1959, Mr E.W. de Soysa, an attorney at law, became the new chairman. In August 1959, the then Lekham Mr. D.B Waidyasekara passed away. Mr Abiram Gamhewa took over the post. After his death on 24 February 1960, Mr Jayasekara Aberuwan was elected to the position.

The construction of the Sanchi pandal in front started during this period. It has been contributed by Mr E.W Charlis Appuhami & Mr S.A. Fernando.

On May 1, 1960, Mr Gamhewa Gunawardhana was elected as the secretary of the association.

It is said that in 1962, Dr D. D. Jayasekara built the almshouse well at his own expense. The construction of the kitchen by Mr S.  A. Fernando and the construction of the living room by Mrs Alen Silva can be called as fulfilling the deficiencies.

1964 The Negombo branch of the Sri Lanka Akhsidana Association was established at the Buddhist Mandir.

“Dhamman Sucharithan Ware” was adopted as the motto of the Buddhist Words Society on its 35th anniversary held on March 28, 1965.

On October 15, 1970, the eyes were placed on the Vihara Buddha statue on the upper floor of the octagonal building. For this purpose, a three-thirty-hour Dharma lecture has been held.

In 1973, a marriage registration function was started in the Buddhist temple. Mrs Seetha Ranaraja became the secretary. Mr W. V. Mendis started working as the secretary of the association on 10th March 1973.

In the preparation for April 1976,  Arrangements will be made for Ven. Panadura Ariyadhamma to live and work at his home for the next 2 months. For this P.B.R. It appears that Mr Eramudugolla and the governing body did the basic work.

On January 26, 1977, someone stole the marble Buddha image from the Buddha temple in the courtyard, and S.B. It is a great fortune that the Buddha statue could be found on February 13, 1977, due to the great efforts of Ranaraja.

On May 15, 1977, Mr Susil Abegunasekara was elected as the new councillor of the association. On September 15 of that year, the new library of the Buddhist temple was opened.

During this period Mr D.M.G Dasanayaka has arranged to start Advanced Level Tuition.

On Duruthu fortnight in 1980, the scenic Duruthu Perahera started from the Buddhist Mandir and toured the streets around the city of Negombo. This procession was held for the second time on January 19, 1981. It is special that the limited Negombo Buddhist Moral Development Society was incorporated by an act of the Parliament of the Republic of Sri Lanka this year. It should also be remembered here that some Buddhist businessmen who were affected by the racist riots in July 1983, temporarily built stalls on the grounds of the Buddhist mansion and provided facilities to maintain the trade hall.

It should be mentioned that the special guest at the prize and certificate ceremony of the Dhamma School children held in April 1984 was the late Mr Lalith Athulathmudali, who was the Minister of National Defense at that time.

In 1987, Mr S. de A. Rajapaksha & Mr R. P. E. Ranaweera started a pre-school in a building on the main road. Mr Susil Abeygunasekara passed away this year. After that, Mr U. J. Wijesinghe was elected as the Acting Sabah Governor.

In 1994, Mr W. de Ized Siriwardhana was elected as the new treasurer on January 23, 1994.

On June 20, 1994, the series of offering prayers to the Abhinava Buddha statue was started. On that day, a Sanghata Dakshina will be offered after conducting an all-night Dharma lecture.

Due to some defects, the Abhinava Buddha statue was restored and restored on June 12, 1995, on Poson Full Moon Poya Day.

From January 01, 1996, all the administration of the Higher Education Institution was taken over by the Buddhist Moral Development Society.

In the year 1998, an amount of 25,000 rupees were donated for the reconstruction of Dalada Maliga, which was destroyed by terrorism.

During this time, three-phase electricity is obtained for the quarters of the mandir and the electricity system is advertised.

At the same time, the annual donation given to the Meethirigala Aranya Senasana by the Kugalana Samiti was taken over by the Buddhist Ethical Society.

In August 1999,  A counselling service was started under the patronage of Ven Karuwalagaswewa Anuruddha. Due to some reasons, it got stymied later on. Ven Gangodawila Soma Thero giving a sermon in 1999 is a historic event.

In the month of May 2000, a devotional song competition was held among schools in Negombo Education Division, and certificates were awarded.

On October 3, 2001, the foundation stone of the new three-storey building was laid by the Honorable Chairman Mr S de A Rajapaksha.

On May 19, 2002, the ground floor of the proposed new three-storey building was opened.

In June 2002, one hall was renovated at a cost of Rs.288, 000.00

In 2003, the teachers’ lounge, student classroom, and manager’s room were renovated. The preschool building was also repaired.

On March 27, 2003, Hon. S de A. Rajapaksha passed away. After that Mrs Seetha Ranaraja as acting Chairman was elected.

27th April 2003 at Negombo Buddhist Mandir Main Hall Late Mr S de A Rajapaksha & Hon. Secretary Mr W V Mendis’s photo opening took place. Also, Mr A Rathnayaka, who has rendered great service to our society, was presented with a gift. Patron Mr Lakshman Jayakodi, Mr Wijayapala Mendis & Member of Provincial Council Mr John A Fernando participated in this event.

2003 Vesak Full Moon Poya was celebrated in a grand manner. The city of Negombo was decorated with Buddhist flags and rally bridges and sermons and sermons were broadcast through loudspeakers. More than 100,000 rupees were spent for this purpose.

He should be thanked for being able to save the land of the Buddhist Mandir, which is constantly flooded by rainwater, by spending an amount of  Rs.250,000  on May 31, 2003, by laying the drain behind the Buddhist Mandir. Also, he and Western Province Sabah member Sarath Gunarathna provided necessary equipment to the Dhamma school students.

At the request of the Negombo Pallansena Prisoner Welfare Association, the Buddha Temple in the Negombo prison inmate section was completed at a cost of 200,000 rupees by the late Hon. Under the special patronage of Chairman Mr S de A Rajapaksha.

On October 16, 2003, the Buddha statue was taken from the Buddhist Mandir and buried in the Abhinava Mandir in a spectacular procession with the participation of school children.

On the 18th of the same month at 8.15 am, Ven Kolonnawe Sri Sumangala opened the Buddha statue and gave a sermon on Sumadura Dharma. In the same year, a playground was established for preschool children.

On the occasion of the 75th anniversary of the Negombo Buddhist Society for Moral Development, on 17th July 2004, a sermon on Sarva Rathrika Dharma was held and a Maha Sanghata Dakshina was presented the next day.

The above-mentioned are only a small part of our history of Vajra Jayanti celebrations. The service rendered to the Bodu people by the journey so far is immeasurable. Also, there are many services that we have to do in the future. There we all join hands together and decide to go on a long moral journey.

තෙරුවන් සරණයි!Attorney at law