Amarawansa Thero v. Panditha Galwehera Amaragnana Thero – sllr 1985 volume 2 page 275

In the case between Amarawansa Thero (plaintiff) and Panditha Galwehera Amaragnana Thero (defendant), the court addressed the validity of succession under Buddhist ecclesiastical law concerning the incumbency and possession of Pushparamaya alias Nayake Temple. It was held that succession must follow the rule of sisyanu sisya paramparawa as set out in the Last Will (D1) and the Buddhist Temporalities Ordinance. The findings established that while the plaintiff had administered the temple as de facto viharadhipathy, legal standing to maintain a possessory action was reserved for the de jure viharadhipathy. Accordingly, the plaintiff’s claim was dismissed, and the appeal was allowed, reaffirming the principle that legal title and authority in Buddhist temple succession require strict adherenc