No. 44.— 1893.] 



YAPAHUWA. 



113 



be taken to see that the clearing and weeding are done regularly 

 and systematically, and not by fits and starts. The Govern- 

 ment have given a vote for this purpose, and some responsible 

 person should be entrusted with the supervision of the work 

 and the necessary outlay on it. 



Under the Buddhist Temporalities Ordinance of 1889, sec- 

 tion 4, and by Proclamation in the Gazette of November 15, 

 1889, Yapahuwa was constituted a district, and it comprised 

 the following sub-districts : — (1) Hiriyala Hatpattu, (2) 

 Vanni Hatpattu, (3) Demala Hatpattu, and (4) Rajakumara- 

 vanni Hatpattu of Puttalam. In consequence of the difficulty 

 and at times the impossibility of working the statutory 

 provisions, and the confusing changes which have from time 

 to time been introduced in respect of the constitution of the 

 district and sub-districts, the divisions above referred to 

 do not exist, and the Ordinance is a veritable dead letter 

 in the North-Western Province. 



The population of Yapahuwa, according to the Census of 

 1881, was 8 houses, with 8 families, consisting of 14 males 

 and 10 females, total 24 persons. That for 1891 is given as 

 10 houses, 10 families, 19 males, and 21 females, making a total 

 of 40 persons. Even making every allowance for the figures 

 employed by the anonymous author of Ydpahuva Vistaraya 

 (which partake of the exaggeration common to all Oriental 

 narratives, with regard to the population which once filled 

 the city;, who can picture to himself the magnificence and 

 splendour, the life and bustle, the gorgeous processions in 

 which kings and queens were conveyed in golden chariots 

 drawn by gaily caparisoned horses, and recall the gay sites 

 where of old was held high festival with revelry and song, 

 and not realize the sad truth that — 



It was a gallant spot in days of yore, 



But something ails it now : the place is curst. 



- X 



42-93 



1 



