7 April 2010 05:03 am
The election of a Bishop for the Diocese of Kurunegala has run into a legal battle, with the Venerable Neel Wasantha Wimalaratne filing a case in the District Court of Kandy claiming that certain procedures have not been adopted for the election of a Bishop for Kurunegala.
Additional District Judge Rohan Jayawardene has issued notice on five respondents to show cause as to why an interim injunction should not be issued over the election of the Bishop for the Diocese of Kurunegala.
According to the Constitution an Electoral Body was elected on 19.09.2009 for the purpose of electing a Bishop for the Diocese of Kurunegala. It comprised of six members of the clergy and six lay members.
On 31st December 2009 a vacancy for a Bishop was created with the resignation of Bishop Kumar Illangasinghe.
The Plaintiff has submitted to Court that if a Bishop could not be elected then all Bishops should consult the Consultative Body and seek a decision.
At the 54 Annual Meeting a Consultative Committee had not been elected.
The Plaintiff had filed this action on the premise that there was to be a meeting on 3rd April 2010 to submit names for the election of a Bishop for the Diocese of Kurunegala.
The Plaintiff has sought the intervention of the Court to prevent the election of a Bishop for the Diocese of Kurunegala violating A-3-14 of the Constitution of the Church of Ceylon and seeking an injunction. (Daily Mirror online)