A Contempt of Court application was filed in the Supreme Court today against the Basnayake Nilame of the Ruhunu Kataragama Maha Devalaya for allegedly not complying with a Supreme Court order.
A Three-Judge-bench comprising Chief Justice K. Sripavan made this order sequent to a fundament rights petition filed by the Mahabethme Secretary of Ruhunu Kataragama Maha Devalaya.
The Supreme Court on September 28, 2016 vacated an interim order issued restraining Basnayake Nilame of Kataragama Devalaya from appointing former Kapurala Pathmasiri Adhikaram as the Kapurala of the Ruhunu Kataragama Maha Devalaya.
The Supreme Court ordered the Secretary of the Ruhunu Kataragama Maha Devalaya make necessary arrangements made to have Pathmasiri Adhikaram function as a Kapurala for a period of one month each year in the Devalaya.
However, petitioner Pathmasiri Adhikaram in his Contempt of Court action complained Court that the Basnayake Nilame did not take any steps whatsoever to comply with the Supreme Court order.
The petitioner moved Court that the respondent be charged for Contempt of the Supreme Court under Article 105(3) of the Constitution.
The petitioner Adhikaram stated that his family has claimed post of caretaker of the Devalaya since 161 BC.
He said that King Dutugemunu, before he launched his fight against King Elara, had made a vow to the god Kataragama and having won the war, built this devalaya and appointed his great-grand father as its caretaker to perform rituals. He claimed that his family has held the post for over 2,300 years.
The Supreme Court on April 4, 2004 declared that Pathmasiri Adhikaram of Boralesgamuwa had a right to function as a Kapurala for a period of one month each year in the Ruhunu Kataragama Maha Devalaya.
There are 2 Comments
Family Hisoty
Ofcpurse not
Add new comment