The Chief Incumbent Venarable Pelwatte Dhammananda Thero founded the Bristol Sri Lanka Buddhist Vihara. He is also the resident monk who renders a yeoman service to the community on a voluntary basis. He has been in Bristol since 2012, and his welfare is being looked after by the community through the Vihara committee and the membership (dhayaka sabawa), and in keeping with the well-established Buddhist traditions.