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



by limited means. In November and December — wet months best 

 suited for digging — all excavation had to be suspended from sheer 

 want of money. 



Similarly, in the epigraphical branch, beyond adding considerably 

 to the already large stock of inscriptions copied, and suitable for 

 publication, the Archaeological Commissioner found himself powerless 

 to start the issue of that most desirable work — a standard " Epigraphia 

 Zeylanica." 



Sigiriya. 



The Archaeological Commissioner's " Interim Report on the 

 Operations of the Archaeological Survey at Sigiriya (Second Season), 

 1896," has recently been read at a General Meeting of this Society. 



At Sigiriya some four months' work has resulted in decided pro- 

 gress. Almost the entire site of the ancient nuwara, or city, has 

 been swept of undergrowth and carefully surveyed. On the summit 

 of the Hock fully half of the interesting citadel (with its terraces, stairs, 

 walls, tanks, &c.) is now laid bare, and its general plan well disclosed. 



Below, the difficulty of gaining access into the two fresco " pockets, " 

 in the west scarp overhanging the " gallery, " has been finally 

 surmounted ; and of the twenty-two frescoes left on Sigiri-gala, six 

 have already been accurately copied in oils by Mr. D. A. L. Perera, 

 Head Draughtsman, Archaeological Survey. 



Work is about to re-commence at Sigiriya for the third season. 



Kegalla District. 



In 1895 a grant of Rs. 500 was sanctioned by Government for the 

 restoration of the basement of that unique ruin Berendi Kovil, near 

 Avisawella. Last year, a further sum of Rs. 600 was allowed for 

 rebuilding the ornamental wall of the terrace on which the shrine 

 stands. 



The Assistant Government Agent, Kegalla, reports that the work 

 has been most effectively carried out, from first to last, by Mr. Mayes, 

 District Engineer. 



Anurddhapura. 



(a) Thuparama. — The whole of the buildings within the outer 

 boundary have now been excavated, and the quadrangular wall 

 line exposed along its full extent. The ruined site immediately 

 west of the Dagaba (sometimes termed "Mihindu's Tomb," and partially 

 excavated by Mr. J. G. Smither twenty years ago) has been dug up, 

 afresh, and more fully. The pirivena, outhouses, &c, are being followed, 

 in order to ascertain, as far as possible, the complete original plan of the 

 Thuparama Monastery premises. Further, the sloping bank of debris 

 which hid the other half (not excavated in 1895) of the high wall 

 encircling the raised maluwa, or platform, of Thuparama Dagaba, was 

 completely removed. The appearance of this most picturesque stupa 

 has thereby been greatly enhanced. 



(b) Mulla-gala Ruins. — A party was detached to excavate a small 

 block of ruins, lying in thick jungle, half way between the Jaffna 

 road and the Malwatu-oya, and some three miles out of the town. 

 This little monastery, complete in itself, is evidently very ancient. 

 The style of the buildings— not more than half a dozen in all — recalls 

 those at Riti-gala in plain simplicity of stonework. The pilima-ge 

 (image-house) at the back was strikingly perched on a rocky knoll, 

 mounted by three or four flights of steps. 



