Pinnawala Pemananda Thero vs. Maimbule Nandarama Thero – sllr 2014 volume 1 page 087

The case between Pinnawala Pemananda Thero (Plaintiff-Appellant) and Maimbule Nandarama Thero (Defendant-Respondent) addressed the issue of lawful succession to the office of Viharadhipathi (chief incumbent) under the Buddhist Temporalities Ordinance and the sisyanusisya (pupillary) paramparawa tradition. It was held that valid succession requires lawful pupilage established through proper robing and uninterrupted adherence to vinaya (monastic discipline) rules. The significance of documentary evidence, oral testimony, and earlier legal precedents was emphasized. The appeal was dismissed, with affirmation that the Defendant-Respondent qualified as lawful successor, underscoring the principle that the established procedures of ordination and succession under Buddhist ecclesiastical law must