2023-07-31-accounts - East London Buddhist Cultural Centre

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Annual Report 2022-2023

East London Buddhist cultural centre (ELBCC) also known as Lumbini Vihara is a UK registered charity (Registered number 1083830) under Charities act since November 2000.

This report reviews the activities of ELBCC from 26[th] November 2022 – 4[th] November 2023.

Administrative Information

The Chief resident monk Ven. Makure Mangala Thero will remain as the president of the charity as stated in the constitution amended in 2011.

The following office bearers were elected during the Annual General Meeting (AGM) held on 26/11/20222.

Vice President : • Mr Upul ekanayake • Mrs Suneetha Siriwardana Secretary : Mr Supun Nuranga Assistant Secretary : Mr Suba Fernando Treasurer : Mr Senerath Boralugoda Public relations officer : Mr Shamila De Silva Independent auditor : Mr Sarath Jayarathne Legal advisor : Mrs Ramani Gunasekara Financial advisor : Mrs Chandrika Rajakulathunga Committee members : • Mr Chinthaka Karunathilakalage • Mrs Kusum Pathirana • Mr Sujith Rasnayake • Mr Saman Jayarathne • Mr Udayasiri Weragama • Mrs Dinali Ambewatte • Mr Ranjeewa Alahakone • Mrs Nanda Karunanayake

Objectives of the charity include advancement of Buddhism per the philosophy and the teaching of Buddha, organising cultural and religious events. To achieve these objectives ELBCC organised various religious and cultural activities throughout the year.

Religious Activities

Daily buddha puja and pirith chanting is held at 7.00PM throughout the year. Depending on their availability devotees of ELBCC attend this daily puja. And monthly poya programmes were organised throughout the year where devotees observe sil, practice meditation and dhama discussion.
ELBCC celebrated this year’s Vesak poya, which celebrates the birth, enlightenment and the death of Gautama Buddha on 7[th] May 2023. Devotees celebrated this day by attending day filled with meditation, Dharma discussions and other religious activities. The Vesak programme was concluded by holding a Vesak dansala for all the members and devotees who attended the religious event.
To Commemorate the introduction of Buddhism to Sri Lanka, Special Sil programme and atavisi buddha puja was held on Poson poya day on 4[th] June 2023 at the temple premises. Devotees celebrated this day by attending day filled with meditation, Dharma discussions and other religious activities. The Poson programme was concluded by holding a special showcasing of Mahindagamanaya exhibit prepared by the Dhamma School students.

Cultural Activities

To celebrate the 75[th] Independence Day of Sri Lanka, ELBCC held Independence Day celebrations event on 5[th] February 2023. Children from Sunday school attended this special programme along with other visitors. It was a very educational programme for the children where they learned about history of Sri Lanka before and after independence and about national heroes.
Annual Sinhala and Tamil new year festival organised by East London Buddhist Cultural centre was held on 15[th] April 2023 at the Cumberland School. local Councillor Lakmini Shah and James Asser also attended the event as a honourable guest. The event included new year games and an evening filled with cultural performances. Sri Lankans across London attended this joyous cultural event.

Other Activities

Ayubowan London Live Concert

A successful concert in aid of ELBCC was held on 7[th] January 2023 at the East Ham Town Hall, hosted by Thumindu Dodantenna with performance by Kokila Pawan. Sri Lankans across London attended this joyous musical event.

• Special Aktha Pathra (award) ceremony and special pirith chanting

To acknowledge and felicitate the appointment as the Chief Adhikarana Sanga Nayaka of Great Britain and the honorary title of Most Venerable Makure Dharma Keerthi Sri Hemaloka Mangalabhidana Nayaka Thero by Siyam Nikaya of the Malwatha Chapter, special felicitation ceremony and half night pirith chanting was held on 15[th] July 2023. Her Excellency Ms Saroja Sirisena graced this special occasion as the chief guest. Amongst others, Rt Hon Stephen Timms, Councillor Ann Easter, Councillor Jame Asser and Councillor Lakmini Shah also attended the event as a honourable guest.

Standing Advisory council on Religious Education (SACRE)

Ven. Makure Mangala Thero is a member of the SACRE for the London borough of Newham, where the local authority is advised on matters connected with religious education and collective worship.

• Ranaviru seva Authority scholarship fund

With the help of members, ELBCC sponsor 50 students in Sri Lanka whose parents have passed away or disabled who were once military and police personnel.

• Religious Advisor for the local schools.

Ven. Makure Mangala Thero attended various virtual and in person meetings throughout the year as a religious advisor to assist, as directed, special support for school causing concern or in particular need.

• Sunday School:

Following the Covid Pandemic, The Sunday school was resumed this year and is held on every Sunday at the temple premises which is catered to children. ELBCC Sunday school is recognised by the YMBA (Young Men’s Buddhist Association) of Sri Lanka. Sunday school which is run by volunteer teaching staff and the monks provides the opportunity to study and encouragement of the practice of Buddhism.

• Regular visits to public institutions:

Resident monks regularly visit local schools, hospitals, care homes, prisons to deliver sermons and guidance who seek counsel.

Local student visits to the temple:

Both local school students and teachers regularly visit the temple where they are given an insight in to Buddhism. This is an exceptional opportunity for them to learn about the religion itself and to learn about methods of practising Buddhism. Teachers also get advice on methods of teaching Buddhism.

• Fund Raising Events

During the period 2022-2023 one fundraising event was held by organising Food stalls at community event to raise money for the charity.

Supun Nuranga Secretary, ELBCC


		Minutes from the ELBCC Annual General Meeting on 26th November 2022
1.		Observe five precepts and welcome speech Ven. Makure Mangala Thero Observed Pansil with the members who attended the meeting via live webcast. Then he welcomed all the members to the annual general meeting and expressed his gratitude to everyone for working together for the benefit of the community and the organisation. He also acknowledged all the individuals and the members of the executive committee who helped to successfully organise cultural and religious programmes throughout the year.
2.		Reading and adaptation of the minutes from the AGM 2021 Secretary Supun Nuranga circulated the minutes from the previous AGM which was held on 4thDecember 2021. Mr Palinda Samarasinghe Proposed that the meeting minutes from the previous AGM were correct and was seconded by Mr Shamila De Silva.
3.		Tabling Annual Report Secretary Circulated the annual report which covered the period from 4thDecember 2021 to 26thNovember 2022. Makure Mangala Thero suggested the following items should be added to the annual report: • Attending the local schools as a religious advisor to assist, as directed, special support for school causing concern or in particular need. • Medical aid donations to Sri Lanka that were carried out throughout the year. Mr Weerasinghe proposed that the remainder of the annual report were correct and was seconded byMr Senarath Boralugoda.
4.		Treasurer’s Report and Annual accounts Treasurer, Mr Senarath Boralugoda, circulated the copies of annual financial report which has been examined by the independent Auditor Mr Sarath Jayarathne. • Mr Palinda Samarasinghe suggested that the donations during the katina ceremony could added under the festival income section and the expenses can be added separately. Treasurer mention as the katina ceremony was held via live webcast and the donations were made to temple account these have been reported under ‘Donations Other’ and that there were no expenses. • Mr Palinda Samarasinghe enquired if there is a reduction in standing orders compared to the previous consecutive years. Treasurer mentioned that even though there is a reduction of the standing orders in the Bank of Ceylon account, however, as new standing orders been added; there is no noticeable overall reduction over the past two years. Mr Palinda Samarasinghe proposed the annual accounts to be correct and this was seconded by Mr Upul Ekanayake.
5.		Election of office bearers

This year’s nominations received have proposed to retain the executive committee for the 2022-2023.

All members agreed to the nominations received, Mr Palinda Samarasinghe Proposed to adhere with the nominations received by the members and this was seconded by Mr Udayasiri Weragama.

Therefore, the office bearers for 2022-2023 are as follows:

Two Vice presidents

Mr Upul Ekanayake
Mrs Suneetha Siriwardhana

Secretary

Mr Supun Nuranga

Assistant Secretary

Mr Subha Fernando

Treasurer

Mr Senerath Boralugoda

Public Relations Officer

Mr Shamila De silva

Committee members

Mr Chinthaka Karunathilakalage
Mrs Kusum Pathirana
Mr Saman Jayarathne
Mr Udayasri Weragama
Mrs Nanda Karunanayake
Mr Sujith Rasnayake
Mrs Dinali Ambewatte
Mr Ranjeewa Alahakone

Independent Auditor

Mr Sarath Jayarathne

Legal Adviser:

• Mrs Ramani Gunasekara 7. Resolutions Ven. Makure Mangala Thero informed the members that no notice has been received for resolution and the members did not have any new proposals.

8.		Any Other Business • Ven. Mangala Thero suggested switching the Llyods and Barclays bank accounts of the temple for online banking service as this method would be more convenient. Members discussed the benefits and the process of this and agreed to switch to online banking service. • Ven. Managala Thero informed the members about a query the independent Auditor; Mr Sarath Jayarathne, had regarding any steps the executive committee or the members have taken regarding the welfare of the resident monks post- retirement. Following the discussion, Mr Palinda Samarasinghe and Mr Jayampathi Perera suggested that a separate account can be created for the welfare of the resident monks and a monthly standing order can be set up from the temple bank account for this welfare account. • Mr Chinthaka Karunathilkalage enquired about restarting the Dhamma School. Mangala Thero informed the members that a meeting will be arranged with the teachers to discuss the necessaryrequirements.
		MeetingConcluded at 6.00PM.

Supun Nuranga Secretary ELBCC

EAST LONDON BUDDHIST CULTUFIAL CENTRE Annual Financial Report 31 July 2023

EAST LONDON BUDDHIST CULTURAL CENTRE Committee Infomiation Presldent '. Ven Makure Mangala Secretary.. Mr Supun Nuranga Loku Enderage Tr•a8ure'. Mr Sen2rath Boralugoda Trustees: Ven Makure Mangala Ven. Eetalawetunawewa Gnanathilaka Mr Methsiri Wijerathne Mr Palinda Samarasinghe Auditor Sarath Jayaratne BA{ Hon) FCCA Excel Accounting Solutions 119 Belgrave Avenue Gidea Park Romford Essex RM2 6PS Banker6 Lloyds TSB Bank Barclays Bank Bank Of Ceylon Charity no. 1083830 AddsS 33 Maybury Road Plaistow Londo E138RZ

EAST LONDON BUDDHIST CULTURAL CENTRE Independent examiners report to the Trustees of EAST LONDON BUDDHIST CULTURAL CENTRE I report on the w)unls of the Trust for the year ended 31 July 2023 whh are sel out on the page 3- 6.my examination was carried out in accordance th 9er7eral directions given by Charity Commissioners. An examination includes a review of the accounb.ng record5 kept by the charty and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes considerab'on of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts and seeking explanation from you as Trustees concerning and such matters. In my examination. no such rnatter5 of concem has come to my attention. In my opinion of the financial staternents gtve true and fair wew of the Chantys income and expenditure for the year ended 31 Juty 2023 Sarath Jayaratne BA{ Hon) FCCA Excel Accounting Solutions Accountants 119 ed9rn¥EA¥tnue 119 Belgrave Avenue Gidea Park Romford Essex RM2 6PS 4 November 2023

EAST LONDON BUDDHIST CULTURAL CENTRE Income and Expenses Account for the year ended 31 July 2023 2023 2022 Ineomo 41.355 49.103 Other income Total Income Expenses Travel expenses Rent, rates. power and Insuran costs Repairs and renewals of propety and equipment Telephone, fax, stationery and other office costs Interest on bank and other loans Bank, credit card and other finance charges Legal and other professional fees Other expenses 41,360 49,107 250 8,383 6,563 1,428 1,194 181 536 5,313 15.469 15.714 1.128 1.619 Total Expendlture 36.775 23,848 Income Over Expenses 4.585 25,259

EAST LONDON BUDDHIST CULTURAL CENTRE Balance Sheet as at 31 July 2023 2023 2022 Fixed agsels Other fixed assets 318,756 318.756 Current assets Bankjbuilding society balar 17.814 18.311 Curront liabilbtie Other liabilities and accruals 4.998 Not current assets 12.814 13,313 Loans due after more than one year 142,603) 147,687) Not ass•ts 288.967 284,382 Capital account Balance at stsrt of period Net profit 284,382 4.585 259.123 25,259 288,967 284,382

EAST LONDON BUDDHIST CULTURAL CEKfRE Notes to the Accounts for the year ended 31 July 2023 2023 2022 In¢ome Donation -standing Orders Donation-other Donation Box FestNal Income Gift Aid Tax Refund Other 15,071 10,855 1.704 9.240 4,484 14,558 14,410 1,731 8,085 10,319 41,355 49.103 Other income Interest receivab Car, van and travel expen$eB Travel expenses 250 Rent, rates, ptyNer and Insurance costs Water and Council Tax Light & Heat Fesival expenses Propety insuran Hall& Stall hire Cleaning 1,451 4,028 6,605 943 2.442 1,402 3.485 2.500 896 100 8,383 15,469 Repalrs and renewals of property and oqulpment Repairs and maintenance 15,714 6.563 Telephone, fax, statlonery and other offKe costs Telephone and fax Postage .Stationery and prints'ng Website cost 1.128 1,022 163 243 1.428 1.128 Interest on bank and other loan8 Mortgage Interest 1.194 Bank. credlt card and other finance charges Bank charges 199 181 Accountancy. legal and other pmfession•l fees Olher legal and professional 536 Other expenses Subscriptions BOC Scholarships Covid donation 159 1.460 1,913 3,400 5,313 1.619

EAST LONDON BUDDHIST CULTURAL CENTRE Notes to the AGGounts for the year ended 31 July 2023 2 Other fixed assèts 2023 2022 Premises- Freehold Building Propety Improvement 318.756 293,433 25,323 318,756 318.756

EAST LONDON BUDDHIST CULTUFIAL CENTRE Annual Financial Report 31 July 2023