The Court of Appeal has ordered that a writ petition – which seeks an interim injunction to prevent former Diyawadana Nilame – Pradeep Nilanga Dela from functioning as the acting Diyawadana Nilame of the Sri Dalada Maligawa in Kandy – be taken up for consideration on Sep. 23.
The petition, filed by Gampola resident Saliya Prasad Nandasiri through Attorney-at-law Sandaruwan Senanayake, was taken up yesterday (Sep. 10) before Justices Rohantha Abeysuriya and Priyantha Fernando.
Respondents named include the Commissioner of Buddhist Affairs, Pradeep Nilanga Dela, and several others.
The petitioner states that after Dela’s official term ended on Sep. 07, and he was reappointed as Acting Diyawadana Nilame by the Commissioner of Buddhist Affairs. The appointment had been made with the consent of the Mahanayake Theros of both the Malwathu and Asgiri Chapters, the two highest monastic orders in Sri Lanka.
The petition alleges that multiple charges of corruption and malpractice have been levelled against him, making the reappointment unlawful and inconsistent with the Buddhist Temporalities Act.
Accordingly, the petitioner has sought an interim order to bar him from functioning in the post.
Additional Solicitor General Sumathi Dharmawardena appeared on behalf of the respondents.
