Caretaker post of Kataragama Maha Devalaya to the Adhikaram family

The Kataragama Maha-Kapurala, Somipala Rathayake, stands before the screens separating the outer room of the Maha Devalaya from the inner sanctum.

The Supreme Court today decided that the Adhikaram family who have been holding the post of caretaker of the Ruhunu Kataragama Maha Devalaya by tradition should enjoy the position continuously.

The verdict was given after considering an appeal made by present Basnayake Nilame of the Kataragama Maha Devalaya Shashindra Rajapaksa.

The case with regard to this matter had been heard in different courts for over 55 years.

The respondent Padmasiri Adikaram said that his family has been claiming the post of caretaker of the Devalaya since 161 BC.

He said that King Dutugamunu, before he launched his fight against King Elara, made a vow to god Kataragama.

Having won the war, King Dutugemunu built this Devalaya and appointed his great grand father as its caretaker to perform rituals.

Padmasiri Adikaram claimed that his family held the post for over 2,300 years until they lost the claim in 1955 after then Basnayake Nilame W.A. Rathwatte interfered to change it.

Having heard the case for over three years, the Supreme Court ordered to hand over the caretaker post of the Kataragama Maha Devalaya to the current descendent of the Adikaram family Padmasiri Ranjith Adikaram.

Courtesy: Hiru News of 4 April 2014