Janaka Ravindra Kalupahana had filed a Petition in Court of Appeal challenging his suspension by letter dated 26th January 2023, from the Soragune Kuda Katharagama Devalaye based on purported allegations, without proper a hearing and thus the said suspension violates the rules of Natural Justice.

Having heard the submissions put forth by the Farman Cassim PC for the Petitioner and the Respondents, Court of Appeal two-judge-bench comprising Justice (President) Nissanka Bandula Karunaratne and Justice M.A.R. Marikar granted an interim relief staying the operation of the letter of suspension.

Farman Cassim PC asserted that a certain ‘Charitha Sebastian Prabodha Nugawela’ had been unlawfully and maliciously appointed as a provisional appointment to the position of Basnayake Nilame.

Consequently, the Court of Appeal granted further interim relief staying the said provisional appointment, thus paving way for the reinstatement of H.M. Janaka Ravindra Kalupahana. The case will be called on the 31st of March.

The Petitioner was represented by President’s Counsel Farman Cassim and Attorneys-at-Law, Budwin Siriwardena and Vinura Kularatne instructed by R.M. Chamali S. Ranathunga, Attorney-at-Law.

The Respondents were represented by Deputy Solicitor General Manohara Jayasinghe and Attorney-at-law Mihiri de Alwis. (Lakmal Sooriyagoda)