152 JOURNAL. R.A.S. (CEYLON). [VOL. XIII. 



The principal archaeological remains are to be seen in the 

 ancient Sinhalese tanks, most of which have been described 

 in detail in Mr. H. Parker's reports.* These remains consist 

 of massive embankments, such as that at Tannirmurippu, 

 where the bund is about 2f miles long ; at Pavatkulam, where 

 it is 2 miles long ; Mamadu mile, Iratperiyakulam and 

 Kanukkeni 1 mile ; and many of smaller dimensions. ; 



The bunds are generally faced on the inner side with 

 a pitching of stone (alaikallu Tamil, relapdna Sin.), as at 

 Pavatkulam, Iratperiyakulam, Pandarakulam, &c. 



In the bunds are found the remains of ancient stone 

 sluices, which were usually provided with a bisokotuwa, or 

 valve-pit, built of " long slabs of stone of considerable breadth 

 and small thickness, laid on edge and fitted together with 

 great care." Behind the stonework is a backing of brickwork. 

 There are five of these sluices with bisokotuwas still to be seen 

 at Pavatkulam, and Mr. Parker says, " so far as I am aware 

 this is the only tank in the Island with more than four." 



With one exception they are in fair order. Mamadu had 

 three before its restoration, and Madukanda, Kanakarayan- 

 kulam, and Periyakulam, also restored tanks, had each one. 

 Examples are to be seen at Pandarakulam, which has two, 

 and at Maha Rambaikulam, Chemamadu, Matavuvaittakulam, 

 Putumurippukulam, Kuruntankulam, Tannirmurippu, Peri- 

 yakulam, and Kachchilamadu. At Tannirmurippu, unfor- 

 tunately, most of the stones have been removed to build a 

 Hindu temple,! otherwise it is in a good state of preservation. 



With regard to one of the sluices at Iratperiyakulam, which 

 is still in use, Mr. Parker remarks : — 



We have here a sluice which has continued in working order 

 for 1,770 years or more. It is probably the oldest identified sluice in 

 working order in the Island if this tank is the Alawichcha lake. X 



* Sessional Papers, 1886, pp. 107-116, 179-187, 437-449, 453-460, 463- 

 469, 473-477. 



f The doorway of the temple at Vellaiya Mullivaykkal near Mullaittivu 

 is made of carved stones from Kurunturmalai, adjoining- Tannirmurippu. 

 J Sessional Papers. 1886. p. 109. 



