K.M. Farook vs Thalathuoye Samiddhi Siri Thero – SC APPEAL 119/2014-2024

In the case between Ampitiye Siriwimala Thero (substituted plaintiff/appellant-respondent, representing the Koombiyangoda Vihara) and Karder Mohideen Abdul Jabar, K.M. Farook, and Mohamad Mujahideen (defendants/respondents), the central legal issue pertained to whether a Buddhist vihara or temple constitutes an institution sui generis with the legal capacity to own and hold property. It was held that a Buddhist temple, while sui generis, is capable of acquiring and holding immovable property akin to a corporate entity. This holding reaffirmed the principle that religious institutions, specifically Buddhist viharas, possess sufficient juristic personality for property ownership under applicable law. The determination relied primarily on section 23 of the Buddhist Temporalities Ordinance and