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



The most interesting of over a score of places visited were 

 Periya Puliyankulam (with its wilderness of rocks and caves) and 

 the neighbouring hill of Erapotana ; Kuruntan Malai and 

 KuruntanNe (which must have been a very large town, and would 

 very probably repay excavation) ; the rocky monastery of 

 Kumbukkan Malai ; and Kandaswami Malai on the west shore 

 of the Kokkilay lagoon. 



More than fifty cave inscriptions were copied by Mr. Still on 

 this tour. 



Sigiriya. 



A small gang carried out the annual cleaning of the Citadel 

 on Sigiri-gala in the Central Province, and of the highest terraces 

 skirting the Rock's base to north, west, and south. 



On the steep slopes of the Rock's summit a carpet of strong 

 grass has grown, helping to holding the brickwork banks, and 

 preventing further washaway. This grass is, therefore, merely 

 freed of plants and burnt every year. A clean sweep of all 

 vegetation would but result in a continuance of the heavy scour 

 which occurred each monsoon until this grass grew and protected . 

 from rapid denudation the ruined walls fringing the summit. 



In 1904 the restoration of the portion of the gallery staircases 

 and walls beyond the iron bridge (which unites with the gallery 

 along the Rock's west face) was finished. 



During the short season of 1905 the reconstruction of the 

 retaining walls and stairs of the " Lion-staircase-house," which 

 lead to the foot of the ladders, was nearly completed. This work 

 was essential, as the approach to the ladders was in places hazard- 

 ous, and another year's delay might have seen the top of the 

 brick mass slide down entirely, cutting off all access. 



The iron framework for the wire netting in the smaller of the 

 two " fresco pockets " A.B. was finished in 1904, and its front 

 completely wired in. The door into the " pockets," at the point 

 where the wire rope ladder mounts, alone remains to be fixed. 



Practically full protection is now afforded to the unique paint- 

 ings of Sigiriya. 



Miscellaneous. 



By staying his hand for the time from further excavation, the 

 Archaeological Commissioner was able to advance substantially 

 the record of the Department's work. 



The belated Annual Reports of the Archaeological Survey for 

 the eleven years 1890-1900 inclusive, with a Summary of Opera- 

 tions, 1890-1900, have been issued together. 



Index to the " Mdhaiuansa " {English Version). 



A good Index has been a great want long felt by students of 

 the Mahdwansa, the chief chronicle of the Kings of Ceylon. 



Mr. Still set himself to this laborious task in 1905, and has 

 patiently carried it through in the most thorough manner. 



