Lankananda Thero vs. Piyananda Thero – sllr 2021 volume 3 page 308

In the case between Lankanananda Thero (plaintiff) and Piyananda Thero (defendant), the court addressed the issue of whether the Buddhist Temporalities Ordinance, No. 19 of 1931, applies to the contested temple and, accordingly, the proper mode of succession to the position of viharadhipathi. The judgment held that the Ordinance governs the temple, and succession is to be determined according to the established line of pupillary succession, in the absence of evidence to the contrary. This holding reaffirmed the principle that temples deemed sanghika properties fall within the purview of the Ordinance and succession is to be determined on this basis. Reliance was placed on the admissions made at trial and the interpretation of relevant statutory provisions, which established that the incumb