Thabrew v. Rev Kosgoda Mangala and Others – sllr 2001 volume 3 page 246

In the case between the original plaintiff-respondent (the claimed Viharadhipathy of Kosgoda Ganegodella Rajamaha Viharaya) and the 1st defendant-appellant (with other defendants), the court addressed the issue of whether the plaintiff, as Viharadhipathy, had locus standi to seek a declaration of title over property alleged to be Sangika. The court held that the plaintiff failed to establish standing due to insufficient proof of the property’s Sangika status, the absence of evidence that temple funds were used for purchase, and a lack of confirmation regarding statutory exemption under Section 4(1) of the Buddhist Temporalities Ordinance. The holding reaffirmed the principle that the right to sue for such temple property requires strict fulfillment of statutory and customary criteria. Reli