Rev. Nikaweratiye Mangalahimi vs Wedanaidelage Appunaide – CA CASE NO. 556/2000F-2015

In the case between Rev. Nikaweratiye Mangalahimi, Incumbent Usgala Swarnabimbarama Rajamaha Viharaya, Kobaigane, and Wedanaidelage Appunaide alias Arachchi Naidelage Appu Naide, Kokkawilagama, Kobaigane, the court addressed whether the property in dispute constituted “sangika” (communal temple) property and whether the substituted plaintiff had standing to maintain the action for declaration of title and eviction. The findings established that the land was admitted by the defendant to be temple property, and it was held that strict proof of succession by the incumbent was unnecessary when the property’s communal nature was acknowledged. Reference was made to relevant legal precedent to support that an incumbent priest with sufficient interest may protect sangika property. The order of the