The YMBA, or Young Men's Buddhist Association, was created in Sri Lanka in 1898. The main founder was C. S. Dissanayake. as part of a bid to provide Buddhist institutions as an alternative to the Young Men's Christian Association, otherwise known as the YMCA. It has had many famous presidents such as philanthropists Ernest de Silva and Henry Woodward Amarasuriya. It also exists in other countries, although they seem to be independent organizations.