+94 11 269 5786 Contact Us
YMBA

Colombo YMBA

Established 1898
Menu
Home
Overview Structure
Lakshmi Children's Center Gamini Matha Elders Home VTC Divulapitiya Library
Dhamma Classes Religious Programmes Cattle Release Annual Conference
Sinhala Drama English Drama Light of Asia Gadhya Padya
Dhamma (English) Dhamma (Sinhala)
Trust Fund Scholarships School Development Entrepreneur Support Dhamma School Workshop English Education Financial Assistance
News & Updates Downloads Gallery Careers Publications
Contact Us
Donate Now
Academic Excellence

Dhamma & Abhidhamma Examinations

Fostering Buddhist education and values in the younger generation since 1920.

Global Standards

Examinations in English Medium

The Dhamma / Abhidhamma Examination in the English Medium has been a flagship project of the Association since 1948. This examination consists of six grades, ranging from the Preliminary grade to the Higher Diploma.

It has grown into a global initiative. Annually, thousands of students from over 137 Local Dhamma schools and approximately 600 students from 15 overseas centers (including Singapore, Malaysia, USA, and Australia) sit for these examinations.

Annual Schedule

  • Examination Date: Usually held on the last Sunday of June.
  • Prize Giving: Awards for island-wide winners held in September.

Student Resources

Application for Students
Local & Overseas (110 KB)
School Registration Form
Overseas (778 KB)
Examination Syllabus
Full Content (481 KB)
School Registration Form
Sri Lanka (784 KB)

Need help registering?

Contact Exam Branch →
Our Legacy

A History of Resilience

From Sir D.B. Jayatilaka's vision in 1920 to the challenges of the modern era.

1920

Inception by Sir D.B. Jayatilaka

Launched with 374 candidates from 27 schools. A project close to Sir Jayatilaka's heart to standardize Buddhist education and guide children on the path of the Enlightened One.

1948

English Medium Introduced

A major milestone expanding the reach of the Dhamma. 356 candidates sat for the first time, including students from a center in Singapore.

1971

A Dark Era

The Government compelled YMBA to discontinue exams. Grants were withdrawn, and the Ministry of Cultural Affairs took over. It was the demise of a 50-year proud achievement.

1977

The Return

Realizing the failure of state-run exams, the government returned the responsibility to YMBA. Despite reduced grants, the Association revived the system with the help of affiliated bodies.

2005

The Peak

A record 722,669 candidates from 11,167 Dhamma schools sat for exams at 7,250 centers. Supported by 45,000 volunteers, this was the highest number for any exam in Sri Lanka that year.

2007

Recent Challenges

Government policy shifted again, handing Sinhala medium exams to the Commissioner of Buddhist Affairs. However, the YMBA continues to proudly conduct the English Medium Examinations and Pali/Abhidhamma exams globally.