Sri Lanka’s Buddhist clergy are trading robes for lawsuits as a bitter row between sects spills into the courts. With billions in compensation demanded, the drama now stretches from the Malwatta Chapter to YouTube channels and even the UN Human Rights Council.
The Sinhala Gotama Siri Sambuddha Maha Nikaya has announced that it will take legal action against five individuals, including Badulla Gammana Sumanasara Thero, who is identified as the Mahanayake of the Sinhala Gotama Siri Sambuddha Maha Nikaya, over defamatory remarks targeting the Thero of the Malwatta Chapter, Venerable Thibbatuwawe Sri Siddhartha Sumangala Thero.
Sumanasara Thero declared that monks of other sects have no authority to make decisions about his sect, which he insists operates as an independent Buddhist organization. He also warned that his faction plans to raise these grievances at the 60th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council, beginning on September 8, arguing that such interference amounts to a serious human rights violation.
The sect’s lawyer revealed that Venerable Badulla Gammana Sumanasara Thero has directed him to issue legal notices to five individuals, including the Malwatta Mahanayake Thero. The claims allege that defamatory statements have caused severe harm to the reputation of Sumanasara Thero and his order.
In response, letters of demand have been filed, seeking staggering sums in compensation. These include Rs. 200 million from the Malwatta Mahanayake Thero himself, Rs. 1,000 million from the General Secretary of the Malwatta Chapter Pahamune Sumangala Thero, Rs. 1,000 million from a Buddhist TV channel accused of broadcasting defamatory content, Rs. 200 million from Venerable Galagama Kusala Dhamma Thero of the Karma YouTube channel, and Rs. 100 million from Venerable Sevanagala Susitha Thero, who allegedly collaborated on a program critical of Sumanasara Thero.
The legal showdown marks a dramatic escalation of long-standing tensions between Buddhist sects in Sri Lanka, where disputes over authority, recognition, and influence are now moving from temple courtyards to courtrooms. With billions of rupees at stake and international attention looming, the clash threatens to further divide the Sangha at a time when public trust in religious institutions is already under scrutiny.
