Walasmulle Abhaya Thero v. Commissioner General of Buddhist Affairs and others – 349/2018-2022

In the case between Walasmulle Abhaya Thero (Petitioner) and officials of the Department of Buddhist Affairs, Ministry of Buddha Sasana, Department for Registration of Persons, Department of Immigration and Emigration, and several religious dignitaries (Respondents), the court addressed whether administrative acts undertaken pursuant to religious disciplinary decisions regarding the removal of a Samanera Bhikku from registration, and the subsequent changes to legal and official documents, were subject to judicial review under writ jurisdiction. It was held that while the Commissioner’s administrative actions could be reviewed on the basis of statutory authority, the underlying religious disciplinary decisions of the Mahanayaka Thero or Sangha Sabha were not subject to judicial scrutiny due