44 



JOURNAL, R.A.S. (CEYLON). [VOL. XIV. 



INTERIM REPORT ON THE OPERATIONS OP THE 

 ARCHAEOLOGICAL SURVEY AT 

 SIGIRIYA IN 1895.* 



By H. C. P. Bell, c.c.s., Archaeological Commissioner. 

 FOR, a general description of Sigiriya reference may be 

 made to the following, the only known accounts (a few 

 brief notices excepted) : — 



(1) Mahdwansa, chapter XXXIX. 



(2) Sigiri, the Lion Bock, near Pulastipura, Ceylon, &c, 



by T. W. Rhys Davids, late of the Ceylon Civil 

 Service (R. A. S. Journal, vol. VII., art X., 1875). 



(3) On the Buins of Sigiri in Ceylon, by T. H. Blakesley , 



Public Works Department, Ceylon (R. A. S. 

 Journal, N. S., vol. VIII., art. II., 1876). 



(4) The Fortress Bock of Sigiriya, and its Ancient 



Frescoes, by A. Murray, Public Works Department, 

 Ceylon. (Manuscript Paper : extracts printed in 

 " Black and White," No. 189, 1891.)t 



2. " Some systematic examination of the interesting 

 remains at Sigiriya " — to quote from the Message to Council 

 of His Excellency the Governor Sir A. H. Gordon, November 

 20 — was first specially contemplated in 1889. 



3. In 1893 the Archaeological Commissioner received 

 definite orders from the Government to commence in 1894, 

 and carry to completion the survey of either Sigiriya, in 

 the Central Province, or Yapahuwa, in the North- Western 

 Province. % I selected Sigiriya as of higher antiquity and 

 distinctly greater interest. 



* In illustration of the Report, plans, architectural drawings, and 

 views of the Rock and its surroundings, done by the ArchEeological Survey, 

 were exhibited in the room ; also an album of photographs taken by the 

 Archgeological Commissioner, 



f Reprinted in the Ceylon Literary Register, 1891, vol. II., p. 85. 



% Letter from the Hon. the Colonial Secretary to the Archseological 

 Commissioner, September 13, 1893. 



