Gangulwitigama Pannaloka Thero v. Colombo Saranankara Thero and Others – sllr 1983 volume 1 page 332

In the case between Gangulwitigama Pannaloka Thero (Plaintiff-Appellant) and Colombo Saranankara Thero (Defendant-Respondent) and others, the court addressed the issue of rightful succession to the Viharadhipathiship (incumbency) of the temple “Wijayawardana Aramaya.” The main question concerned the validity and effect of two competing documents—deed P6 and writing D2—in establishing the entitlement to the temple’s incumbency, alongside the applicability of res judicata and statutory bars under section 406(2) of the Civil Procedure Code. It was held that the plaintiff-appellant is the lawful Viharadhipathi of the temple, and the defendant is liable for compensation until restoration of possession, with the defendant’s reconventional claim dismissed. The principle affirmed is that successio