No. 44.— 1893.] 



YAPAHUWA. 



99 



minor road, turn at Daladagama to the right, and after travel- 

 ling 3*50 miles turn to the right again at Hettipola, and you 

 are 1*50 mile from Yapahuwa. If a view of the entire chain of 

 the " animal-shaped rocks " of Kurunegalais desired en route, 

 one may start for Yapahuwa along the Dambullaroad, turn to 

 the left at Muttettu-gala 1*40 mile, proceed along the Kalu- 

 galla road 25*15 miles (traversing the important and extensive 

 forest of Pallekele, probably the largest and richest in the 

 Island), turn to the left at Madagala 7*45 miles, thence to 

 Hettipola, turn to the left, and 1*50 mile will bring one to 

 the required destination. This route is 3'30 miles longer 

 than the former, which is far pleasanter to travel over 

 for at least half the distance, as the road up to Padeniya 

 and thence on to Daladagama is what is known as a principal 



whence there is an extensive view over a seemingly agreeable, though 

 rather thickly wooded, country, has been fixed, it may be supposed on 

 account of its strength, as a military post for the abode of both officers 

 and soldiers. This rock is surrounded by low marshy jungle and fine 

 paddy fields, with here and there pools of stagnant water, which are often 

 entirely dried up, and from such a country may be expected to arise that 

 malaria which is thought to produce fevers and other diseases.'' 

 (Uxjursions, Adventures, and Field Sp>ort in Ceylon, 1843, Vol. II., p. 16.) 

 At the time Campbell wrote, Lieut. Logie of the 73rd commanded the 

 troops here, and received as Agent of Government an allowance of about 

 £200 per annum. The soil in its vicinity is very fertile, and produces 

 immense quantities of paddy. The temple, having been for some time occu- 

 pied as a military post, was restored to the priests in consequence of the 

 insalubrity of the place. (Casie Chetty's Gazetteer, p. 179 ; Pridham, 

 Vol. II,, p. 648.) Migastenna Adigar made a fort here and ruled with 

 severity. The incumbent of the temple still shows the visitor the stone 

 pillars to which people were tied to be lashed. In the rocks below the 

 banage is a deep hole, which contains a constant supply of good water. A 

 pokuna lower down holds a good deal, even during a drought. The 

 vihdre is said to be of great age. There are some finely carved pillars, 

 a good figure of Buddha, and several prettily carved ivory offerings. The 

 painting outside has all been effaced. The resident priests do not pay 

 much attention to the improvement or restoration of the buildings. 

 {Diary, Administration Report, J\ T .-W. Province, 1888.) The natives 

 say that the soldiers stationed here were visited with sickness owing 

 to their having desecrated the sacred edifice ! In consequence of the 

 storing up of salt, the walls are so saturated with saline matter that 

 no paintings could have stood, or been executed on them thereafter, even 

 the plastering giving way. 



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