Rev. Beligalle Jinawansa Maha Nahimi et al. vs. Commissioner General of Buddhist Affairs – CA (Writ) Application No: 67/2015-2018

In the case between Rev. Beligalle Jinawansa Maha Nahimi and others (representatives of “Amarapura Siri Saddammawansa Dheerananda Sanga Sabawa”) and Mr. Chandraprema Gamage, Commissioner General of Buddhist Affairs, the court addressed whether the Department of Buddhist Affairs’ refusal to recognize or register “Amarapura Siri Saddammawansa Dheerananda Sanga Sabawa” as an independent Nikaya, and the rejection of related declarations under the Buddhist Temporalities Ordinance No. 19 of 1931, was valid. It was held that the petition failed due to the non-joinder of the Amarapura Maha Sanga Sabawa, a party whose interests were directly affected and who was necessary for the resolution of the dispute. The principle reaffirmed is that all parties affected by the relief sought in a writ applicat