Hinguralakande Pagngnaloka Thero vs Maththamagoda Pagngnasekare Thero – CA NO. 13/2000-2014

In the case between Hinguralakande Pagngnaloka Thero (Plaintiff/Respondent) and Maththamagoda Pagngnasekare Thero, Pelpita Pagngnaratana Thero, and Malmaduwe Pagngnalankara Thero (Defendants/Appellants), the court addressed the issue of entitlement to the status of controlling viharadhipathi of Mudugamuwa Wickckremaraja Vihara, Ruwanwella. It was held that the Plaintiff was entitled to a declaration as the controlling viharadhipathi, reaffirming the principle that legal interpretation of deeds must be based on documentary evidence and a balance of probabilities. This decision relied on an evaluation of the relevant deed and trial evidence, emphasizing that appeals challenging factual and evidentiary findings require clear grounds to displace concurrent findings at trial.

UPALY ABEYRATHNE,