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



Mr. Perera's copy in oils of the double-figure frescoes, 

 Nos. 3 and 4 in "pocket" "B," is forwarded as a sample of 

 his work.* Ex uno disce ornnes. It is hardly going too far 

 to assert that this specimen, as well as the other four copies 

 already made, represent the original frescoes, as they may 

 still be seen at Sigiriya, with a faithfulness almost perfect. 

 Not a line, not a flaw or abrasion, not a shade of colour, 

 but has been patiently reproduced with, the minutest 

 accuracy.f 



A fresco, hitherto unknown, was discovered this year. 

 This is not, like the rest, on the Great Rock, but in a 

 cave formed beneath one of the boulders which lie behind 

 (west of) the so-called " Audience Hall." Faint indications 

 of colouring under a thick coat of whitewash, when carefully 

 scraped revealed a portion of a viyan-redda, or awning cloth, 

 painted on the rock roof. Such viyan-redi are frequently 

 depicted to this day over recumbent images of the Buddha 

 in vihdres ; and this ancient fresco proves that the cave was 

 used as a Buddhist shrine. 



This fragment — interesting not alone for its chaste design, 

 but for the introduction of Mack among the three colours 

 solely employed in the " pocket " frescoes — has been beauti- 

 fully copied by Mr. Perera, and is also forwarded with 

 this Report.* 



(6) Miscellaneous. 

 Among other desirable work done may be noted : — 

 (a) The delimitation of the area required by the Crown 



* Exhibited at the Meeting. 



f Mr. S. M. Burrows, C.C.S., kindly favours me with the following strong 

 certificate to Mr. Perera's sterling work : — 



" I have much pleasure in stating than when I was at Sigiriya last year 

 (1896) I had an opportunity of comparing, on the spot and in the very cave 

 itself the frescoes with the copies which Mr. Perera has made of them. I 

 cannot speak too highly of the remarkable fidelity with which he has 

 performed his task ; the more remarkable considering the position which 

 the frescoes occupy. I think that he deserves the highest praise for 

 his work, and that he has conferred a benefit on Ceylon Archaeology by 

 furnishing such faithful representations of these unique drawings." 



