Kusalagnana Thero Vs Assaji Thero and Others – sllr 2005 volume 1 page 281

The case between Randiligama Nandarama Thero (original plaintiff) and Kumaragama Assaji Thero and others (defendants) addressed the issue of whether the disrobing of a Buddhist priest was voluntary and with the intention of permanent renunciation, and whether a substitution for the plaintiff based on subsequent pupilage by higher ordination was valid. It was held that the act of disrobing, supported by affidavit evidence, was both voluntary and executed with the clear intention of permanently relinquishing priestly status; accordingly, any claim to revive such status or to allow substitution based on subsequent higher ordination was invalid. This decision reaffirmed the principle that voluntary, intentional, and permanent departure from the sangha nullifies subsequent claims relating to th