Wijesekera v. Wijesekera – sllr 1998 volume 2 page 196

Brief
In the case between Kampane Gunaratna Thero (plaintiff) and Mawadawila Pannasena Thero (defendant), the court considered the validity of the alleged dedication of the Mahajana Rajaramaya temple as Sanghika (monastic) under the provisions of the Buddhist Temporalities Ordinance and Vinaya requirements. It was determined that the deed of dedication, though executed with state authority, did not suffice to alter the temple’s character from “Gihi Santhaka” (lay property) because the required solemn religious ceremony—necessitating the participation of four or more priests—had not been performed. The plaintiff’s claims for a declaration of entitlement as Viharadhipathi and associated proprietary rights were held to be unsustainable. The underlying legal reasoning affirmed that the validit