World Buddhist Foundation
Charity Commission, No. 1008762.
Report of the Managing Trustee and Trustees For the year ending 31 December 2024
The Trustees and Management Committee have pleasure in submitting its Report to the Members, together with the Financial Statements of the WORLD BUDDHIST FOUNDATION for the year ending 31 December 2024.
Introduction and Principal Activity
The headquarters of WBF is located at 309–311 Kingsbury Road, London NW9 9PE. It is constituted by a Deed of Trust. The charity is registered in the Charity Commission, No. 1008762.
- This charity in the UK has two affiliated, operational branches: (i) Sri Saddhatissa International Buddhist Centre (SSIBC), a religious centre that provides facilities for the performance of religious activities of Theravada Buddhist traditions; and (ii) Sri Lanka Educational, Cultural and Welfare Foundation (SLECWF), a social welfare outlet that undertakes social, cultural and educational activities.
• In Sri Lanka, two affiliated institutions are in operation under the World Buddhist Foundation: (i) Sri Saddhatissa International Buddhist Centre and Library, Navala, Nugegoda, Sri Lanka, and (ii) Mudita Children’s Home at Hettipola, Sri Lanka. This latter institution is engaged in social welfare activities within Sri Lanka with some support from the Sri Lankan Government institutions.
All aspects of the WBF operations and management are premised on the foundations of Buddhist teachings and principles.
Whilst our primary objective is to enable those of a Buddhist heritage and commitment with a place of worship, congregation and communal kitchen and food, the Buddhist norms itself on being able to extend its building and its volunteers’ time to all members of the local and wider community.
Aims and Objectives
In addition to our aims and objectives as defined in our constitution, the WBF set out its aims and objectives, as follows:
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Practice of Buddhism: to provide facilities to enable followers of Buddhism partake in religious performances in a convenient and conducive environment in accordance with the Buddha principles and rules laid down by the Buddhist Scriptures and teachings by the Buddha.
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Celebration and Cultural events of the Buddhist practice: to hold key events to highlight events on the Buddhist calendar.
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Focus on education: ensure the charity delivers education on both religious ideology and Sinhala language and providing opportunities for the distribution of non-faith information and education.
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Community Focus and Public Benefit: focus on the community integration and diversity.
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Improve the Buddhist facilities: increase the facilities and capacity of the Centre building.
A key measurement for the Management Committee as to their performance over the year is how closely we managed to deliver to our objectives and to the wishes of the congregation.
Practice of Buddhism
The Buddhist Centre is open daily between 08:00 am to 09:00 pm. Daily morning and evening service are conducted inside the Centre. Services and other practices according to the Buddhist teaching (Buddhist Code of Conduct) are performed for weddings, birthdays, name-giving ceremonies, funerals or any other occasions according to the needs of supporters throughout the year. Resident monks’ purpose is:
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Ensure the availability of Buddhist teachings and practice.
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Encourage the development of morality, meditation and wisdom (sila, smadhi and panna)
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Make a Buddhist contribution to the life of supporters
Regular daily services are conducted at the following times: 06:30 11:30 and 19:00
Summary of the main activities and objectivities in the year
The WBF celebrated all main events on the Buddhist calendar. All the major festivals (special religious anniversaries) were celebrated these included:
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➢ Welcoming new year 2024, on first of January celebrated throughout the day members have attended and resident monks have invoked blessing event frequently conducted to small groups.
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➢ Annual Founders’ Day is held in mid-February. This year it was on Sunday, 11 February. Memorial talk given by Ven. Beligalle Dhammajothi markin the 31st anniversary of the passing away of Ven. Dr. Hammalawa Saddhatissa, Sanghanāyakathero of the U.K. and Europe, in whose memory the Sri Saddhātissa International Buddhist Centre was established.
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➢ Celebration of Independence Day of Sri Lanka took place on 04 February 2024. The programme began with the hoisting of the National Flag, with the SLECWF cultural troupe in attendance.
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➢ Sinhala and Tamil New Year Celebration held on Sunday, 14th April.
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➢ Vesak Celebration held a programme for children on Saturday 25[th] and main event on Sunday 26[th] May.
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➢ Two trustees, Ven. G Piyananda and Dr Senevi Aturupana attended AGM of Harrow Interfaith
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➢ Poson Celebration held with a beautiful devotional song from Dhamma school children.
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➢ The invitation for the annual rain retreat was made on Saturday 20th July. The robe offering ( kaṭhina ) took place on Sunday 27[th] October with the sponsorship of other supporters of SSIBC. The special offering Nava arahādi pūja was held on Saturday evening.
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➢ Ven Dhammadassi attended the event organised by British Sri Lankan association (BRISLA) on 11[th] October.
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➢ The Annual Interfaith Call for World Peace and Commemorating Tsunami victims was held with a limited participation of representatives and resident monks. Welcome speech conducted by Dr Senevi Aturupana, speeches given by representatives of Buddhist, Christian, Sikh, Muslim, Hindu and Zoroastrian and thanks speech given by Ven G. Dhammadassi.
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➢ Memorial service of Ven Galayaye Piyadassi, former Managing Trustee and first head of Vihara held on Saturday 14[th] and Sunday 15[th] with all night chanting and alms giving. Members of maha sangha attended from various Buddhist monasteries in the UK and abroad.
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➢ Unduvap moon day 29th December celebrated with Uposatha observances of large gathering.
Development and maintenance, Major projects included the phase of the heating upgrade was completed. Significant maintenance has been undertaken during the year at both our premises and rented properties.
Focus on Education
The WBF held classes in the premises every Saturday and other days. An average of 150 students attended, and we have 13 teaching staff. Every teacher command enough language skill to be able to teach children up to A level standard.
In addition to language teaching, the WBF provides educational and learning classes for:
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a. Meditation classes on concentration-Samatha and Insight-Vipassana
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b. Singing classes, classical Buddhist hymns recitals
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c. Instrument classes, learning to play the instruments
Teachers are qualified:
By their approval by the managing trustee or the committee of Trustees.
By their commitment to living by a moral standard basic Buddhist principle.
By their competent understanding of Buddhist teachings and practice.
Coach trips are organised to various places for the benefit of those who wish to pay for visits to religious events and cultural activities.
Community Focus and Public Benefit
A variety of actions have been taken to promote community diversity, integration for the greater public benefit. These include:
Increasing the knowledge of Buddhism and the functioning of the Temple to the wider community through presentations and walkthroughs for local students. We have hosted Primary, Secondary Schools and Universities from across Europe, where students and teachers spend between one and half to two hours inside the Buddhist Vihara. They are shown all the facilities provided to the devotees and are made aware of all the practices and traditional routine of prayers in the Buddhist temple. They are taken around the temple, where all the worshippers pray. The children show great interest in the Lord Buddha way of worship and ask many questions to satisfy their curiosity. Refreshments are also provided to these visitors.
Conclusions By Trustees
We remain indebted to all those who continue to perform selfless service during critical time. Our thoughts remain for their blessings.
………………………………..……….
Ven. Wilbagedara Gnanissara, Managing Trustee ………………………………………. Sup
Dr. Senevi Aturupana, Trustee and Treasurer
Dated: 01[st] of Nov 2025
WORLD BUDDHIST FOUNDATION
Report and Accounts
For the year ended 31 December 2024
Registered Charity No 1008762
Sawhney Consulting Limited
Chartered Certified Accountants Harrow Business Centre 429-433 Pinner Road North Harrow, Middlesex HA1 4HN
Registered number 1008762
WORLD BUDDHIST FOUNDATION
Filleted Accounts
For the year ended 31 December 2024
WORLD BUDDHIST FOUNDATION Financial Statements Contents
| Page | |
|---|---|
| Charity Officers and other information | 1 |
| Independent Examiners Report | 2 |
| Income & Expenditure Statement | 3 |
| Balance sheet | 4 |
| Notes to the accounts | 5-6 |
| Detail Profit & Loss | 7 |
WORLD BUDDHIST FOUNDATION
( Incorporating affiliated bodies )
Affiliations
Sri Saddhatisa International Buddhist Centre Sri Lankan Education and Cultural Foundation
Trustees
Ven Wilbagedara Gnanissara ( Managing Trustee appointed on 24 March 2023) Dr Senevi Aturupana Mr Loku B.C.Monerawela
Accountants
Sawhney Consulting Limited Harrow Business Centre 429-433 Pinner Road North Harrow Middlesex HA1 4HN
Bankers
Natwest Bank Santander Bank Barclays Bank
Registered office
309-311 Kingsbury Road Kingsbury London NW9 9PE
Charity Registration No 1008762
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WORLD BUDDHIST FOUNDATION
Registered Charity No 1008762
Independent Examiners Report to the Trustees For the YE 31 December 2024
In accordance with instruction given to us we have prepared, without carrying out an audit, the attached accounts set out on pages 3 to 7 for the year ended 31st December 2024 together with a Balance Sheet as at that date.
Respective Responsibilities of trustees and Examiner
As the charity trustees you are responsible for the preparation of accounts: you consider that the audit requirement of Section 43(2) of the Charities Act 1993 (the Act) does not apply. It is our responsibility to state, on the basis of procedures specified in the general directions given by the Charity Commissioners under section 43(7)(b) of the Act, whether particular matters have come to our attention.
Basis of Independent Examiners Report
Our examination was carried out in accordance with the general direction given by the Charity Commissioners. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from the trustees concerning such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequently we do not express an audit opinion on the view given by the accounts.
Independents Examiners Statement
In the course of our examination, attention was drawn to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached as follows
(1) No matter has come to our attention which gives us reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the trustees have not met the requirements
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to keep accounting records in accordance with section 41 of the Act and
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to prepare accounts that accord with the accounting records and to comply with the accounting requirements of the Act.
Sawhney Consulting Limited
Chartered Certified Accountants Harrow Business Centre 429-433 Pinner Road North Harrow Middlesex HA1 4HN
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WORLD BUDDHIST FOUNDATION Income and Expenditure Statement for the year ended 31 December 2024
| Income Administrative expenses Operating profit Interest receivable Profit before taxation Tax on profit Profit for the financial year |
2,024 £ 119,096 (56,728) 62,368 55 62,423 - 62,423 |
2,023 £ 120,976 (50,707) 70,269 25 70,294 - 70,294 |
|---|---|---|
The Charity has no recognised gains or losses other than the results for the year as set out above
All of the activities of the Charity are classed as continuing.
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WORLD BUDDHIST FOUNDATION Registered number: Balance Sheet as at 31 December 2024
1008762
| Notes | 2024 | 2023 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | ||||
| Fixed assets | |||||
| Tangible assets | 2 | 2,223,882 | 2,219,117 | ||
| Current assets | |||||
| Debtors | 3 | - | - | ||
| Cash at bank and in hand | 163,090 | 105,432 | |||
| Creditors: amounts falling due within | 163,090 | 105,432 | |||
| one year | 4 | (1,200) | (1,200) | ||
| Net current assets | 161,890 | 104,232 | |||
| Total assets less current liabilities | 2,385,772 | 2,323,349 | |||
| Creditors: amounts falling due after | |||||
| more than one year | 4 | - | - | ||
| Net assets | 2,385,772 | 2,323,349 | |||
| Capital and reserves | |||||
| Unrestricted Fund Reserve | 1,259,705 | 936,442 | |||
| Restricted Revaluation Reserve, | 5 | 1,093,521 | 1,093,521 | ||
| Restricted Fund Reserve Shareholders' funds |
32,546 2,385,772 —_-— |
293,386 2,323,349 |
These accounts have been prepared in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard for smaller entities ( effective January 2015).
These financial statements were approved by the Trustees and authorised for issue on ……………..
- Ven. Wilbagedara Gnanissara – Managing Trustee. Managing Trustee 2. Dr Senevi Aturupana Sy» Trustee and Treasurer
Approved by the board on 31 October 2025
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WORLD BUDDHIST FOUNDATION Notes to the Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2024
1 Accounting policies
Basis of accounting
The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention, and in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard for Smaller Entities (effective January 2015).
Fixed Assets
All fixed assets are initially recorded at cost. The freehold buildings were restated at December 2014 valuation plus additions in the year at cost.
Depreciation
Depreciation is calculated so as to write off the cost of an asset, less its estimated residual value, over the useful economic life of that asset as follows:
| Fixtures & fittings Equipment 2 Tangible fixed assets Freehold Property £ Fair Value At 1 January 2024 2,218,177 At 31 December 2024 2,223,177 Depreciation At 1 January 2024 - Charge for the year - At 31 December 2024 - Net book value At 31 December 2024 2,223,177 At 31 December 2023 2,218,177 3 Freehold Property Cost at 1 January 2014 Additions at 31 December 2014 Revaluation at 31 Decemeber 2014 |
25% on written down value 25% on written down value Fixture & Fittings Equipment £ £ 10,021 6,438 10,021 6,438 9,156 6,363 216 19 9,372 6,382 649 56 865 75 2,024 £ 974,683 149,973 1,093,521 2,218,177 |
Total £ 2,234,636 2,239,636 15,519 235 15,754 2,223,882 2,219,117 2023 £ 974,683 149,973 1,093,521 |
|---|---|---|
| 2,218,177 |
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WORLD BUDDHIST FOUNDATION Notes to the Financial Statements
for the year ended 31 December 2024
| 4 Creditors: amounts falling due within one year Other creditors 5 Reserves At 1 January 2024 Surplus for the Year T/F to General Reserve At 31 December 2024 6 Mortgage Interest Charges Mortgage interest |
General Reserve Fund - Unrestricted Funds 936,442 58,110 265,153 1,259,705 |
2024 £ 1,200 1,200 Revaluation Reserve - Restricted Funds £ 1,093,521 1,093,521 2024 £ - - |
2023 £ 1,200 1,200 Educational & Cultural Fund - Restricted Funds £ 293,386 4,314 (265,154) 32,546 2023 £ 3,111 3,111 |
|---|---|---|---|
7 Particulars of Employees
No salaries or wages has been paid to employees, including the trustees during the year
8 Related Party Transactions
No transactions with related parties were undertaken which are required to be disclosed under the Financial Reporting Standards for smaller entities.
9 Taxation
There is no charge to taxation as the charity income qualifies for exemption from income tax under Section 522, Section 531 and Section 532 of the Income Tax Act 2007 during the year.
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WORLD BUDDHIST FOUNDATION Detailed statement of Financial Activities for the year ended 31 December 2024
This schedule does not form part of the statutory accounts
| Income Donations Rent received Less:Overhead Expenditure Premise Cost Rates Light and heat Insurance Repairs and maintenance Professional Fee Accountancy fees Other legal and professional Administrative Expenses Travel and subsistence Telephone and internet Special events expenses Postage, printing & stationery Miscellaneous expenses General expenses Donation - srilanka Computer & software expenses Depreciation Finance Charges Mortgage payment Bank charges Mortgage interest charges Surplus on Charities Activities Intrest receivable Excess of Income over Expenditure |
3,549 5,198 2,096 27,006 1,200 1,439 3,828 759 6,928 546 185 1,622 353 1,526 235 - 258 - |
2024 £ 77,546 41,550 119,096 37,849 2,639 15,982 258 56,728 62,368 55 62,423 |
2,938 6,334 2,569 13,935 1,200 - 1,750 542 6,301 315 144 1,827 4,335 1,295 313 3,462 261 3,111 |
2023 £ 76,086 44,890 120,976 25,776 1,200 16,822 6,834 50,707 70,269 25 70,294 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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WORLD BUDDHIST FOUNDATION
Profit and loss account
for the year ended 31 December 2024
This schedule does not form part of the statutory accounts
| Revenue Less:Administrative expenses Operating profit Profit on the disposal of investments Interest receivable Profit before tax Tax on Profit Excess of Income over Expenditure |
2024 £ 119,096 (56,728) 62,368 55 62,423 - 62,423 |
2023 £ 120,976 (50,707) 70,269 - 25 70,294 - 70,294 |
|---|---|---|
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