RATANASARA THERA RESTRAINED FROM FUNCTIONING AS CHIEF INCUMBENT
Anuradhapura District Judge and Additional Magistrate Lakmali Hewawasam issued a restraining order preventing Ven. Namalwewa Ratanasara Thera from functioning as the Chief Incumbent of the Mihintale Raja Maha Viharaya and accepting donations and handling the temple properties.
The Magistrate made this order after considering the petition filed by the new Chief Incumbent Ven. Walawahanguna Wewe Dhammarathana Thera through his Lawyer Karunaratne Herath.
Ven. Ratanasara Thera earlier rejected a letter issued by the Chief Prelate of the Malwatta Chapter and the Sangha Sabha appointing Ven. Walawahangunawewa Dhammarathana Thera for the post of Chief Incumbent of the Mihintale Rajamaha Viharaya.
According to the restraining order Ven. Ratanasara Thera was prohibited from handling properties that belong to Mihintale Rajamaha Viharaya, charity donations, assets and money except essentials for his private usage. The respondent Thera was ordered to appear before the Anuradhapura District Court
According to the restraining order Ven. Ratanasara Thera was prohibited from handling properties that belong to Mihintale Rajamaha Viharaya, charity donations, assets and money except essentials for his private usage
on April 18.
The lawyer appearing on behalf of petitioner, Ven. Dhammaratana Thera, reminded court that the Respondent, Ven. Ratanasara Thera had a case pending against him for allegedly abusing an under-aged girl, and this case is still being heard at the Anuradhapura Magistrate’s Court under case No. B/1909. The counsel further said Ven. Dhammarathana Thera was appointed as the Chief Incumbent of the Mihintale Raja Maha Viharaya by the Chief Prelate of the Malwatte Chapter and the Karaka Sangha Sabha till the conclusion of the child molestation case against Ven. Ratanasara Thera.
The counsel said this appointment had been accepted by the Buddhist Affairs Commissioner as well. However, Ven. Ratanasara Thera had rejected this appointment and continued to stay at the temple forcibly while also handling the assets of the temple.
The counsel said this situation would reflect badly on the temple as many local and foreign devotees came there to worship. He said that it would have an affect on the upcoming Poson festivities as well.