Pannaloka Thero v. Sangananda Thero – sllr 1991 volume 2 page 230

In the case between Rev. Wattaddera Somaratne (substituted plaintiff-appellant) and the first defendant/respondent-appellant, the court addressed the issue of the validity of an oral nomination as evidence for succession to the position of Viharadhipathi of Duwe Deeparamaya Temple. The findings established that a disputed oral appointment by Rev. Sumanatissa Thero in 1929, appointing Rev. Saddhatissa Thero as successor, was supported by sufficient evidence to affirm its validity. The underlying legal principle emphasized the evaluation and sufficiency of evidence in proving oral appointments within ecclesiastical law, as well as the legal distinction between de facto and de jure incumbents. The District Court judgment, which found for the plaintiff based on the reliability of oral testimon