No. 44—1893.] 



KURUNEGALA. 



55 



by my predecessors in the command of the district. There are several 

 good-sized rooms in the house, all upon the ground-floor. * * * The 

 other sides of the square are occupied by the houses of the officers and 

 troops, guard-house, &c. At a short distance from the contonment 

 there is a bazaar. 



The exact site of the cantonment cannot be determined 

 upon, but such data as " the rocky mountains rising abruptly 

 and close to the cantonment," and the existence of " Parade 

 Street," point to the conclusion that it lay in the vicinity of, 

 or at least the greater part of it covered the grounds now 

 occupied by, the Judge's quarters and the timber depot. 



The Kachcheri (at least the nucleus which has since been 

 enlarged and improved into the present substantial and 

 commodious structure) was doubtless contemporary with the 

 cantonment. In 1848 the rebels, whilst endeavouring to 

 break open the vault, which is said to have contained £1,500, 

 were surprised by the troops from Kancly under Lieutenant 

 Annesly. The marks of the axes used by the rebels are still 

 to be seen on the door-shutters of the vault. 



The Mdligdiva was in building in the time of Campbell on 

 the very spot where of old stood the palace of the kings. The 

 present structure with its appurtenances was erected on the 

 old site in 1880. The grounds, which are well laid out, 

 remind one of an English park. 



Wesley an Chapel. — Shortly after Campbell's arrival at 

 Kurunegala the troops were busy constructing a temporary 

 place of worship for Europeans, which it was thought would 

 answer until a permanent chapel was constructed. Sir Edward 

 Barnes, Governor, on a visit to Kurunegala, gave permission 

 for the erection of a mission school and chapel on — 



A piece of rising ground, about 600 feet in circumference, in the 

 centre of the population, and surrounded on all sides by public roads. 



The site is further described as — 



Half encircled with tremendous rocks, which are clothed with 

 verdure in most places to the very summit, and often saluted by 

 clouds. Their bases are covered with mighty forests to the edge of 



* Excursions, Adventures, and Field Sports in Ceylon, Vol. II., pp. 5, 6. 



