Karuna Trust is kindness in action. It is a voluntary non-profit organization dedicated to improving the living standards of materially poor people in Sri Lanka in accordance to the Buddhist insights.

Sri Lanka has a large majority of its population living below minimal economic conditions. Most of the rural population in Sri Lanka is extremely poor and a vast majority still lacks proper housing, medical care, education, and employment. We, Karuna Trust, fund projects that eradicate poverty.

Since its inception, its visionary chairperson Mahinda Karunaratne has headed Karuna Trust. A body of Trustees, with the help of an Executive Committee as well as a Patron and an Advisory Board, governs the organization.

An initial gift of Rs. 1,000,000 from Mahinda Karunaratne on his 70th birth day in March 2003 marked the beginning of the fund. In addition, Mahinda Karunaratne contributes his monthly salary to the trust fund. Also Karunaratne & Sons, a leading printing establishment in Sri Lanka, contributes 1% of its net profit to the trust fund.


Legal Status and Structure

Karuna Trust has been incorporated as a duly constituted Trust under the laws of Sri Lanka. It is registered at the Ministry of Social Services of Sri Lanka as a Non Governmental Organization (NGO), with the registration No. L28501. It is also registered at the Center for Non Governmental Organizations, under the Ministry of Finance, with the registration No.K02.