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



supported by log struts to prevent the heavy stone again falling. 

 It was finally and well reconstructed last season. 



The south-west and south-east quadrants of the stylobate will 

 be, it is hoped, restored in 1907. Whilst the south-east quadrant 

 is the best preserved of the four ; that to the south-west quadrant 

 is quite the most damaged, and will need wholesale rebuilding 

 from its original slabs, &c, lying about, greatly broken. 



(c) " Rankot Vehera " and " Kiri Vehera" — These the two largest 

 existing Dagabas of Polonnaruwa are, on the whole, in excellent 

 preservation. 



In 1905 the bell (garbha) of both was freed of ficus and other 

 trees, which had penetrated the masonry everywhere, and were 

 gradually loosening the brickwork. 



Towards the close of the past season (1906) attention was 

 given to the square tee (hatares kotuwa) and pinnacle (Jcota) of 

 both Dagabas. 



They were found to have suffered, not only from tree roots 

 and vegetation that had got firm hold of their wall surface, 

 but from considerable corrosion as well, due to the south-west 

 gale which beats fiercely upon them for five months of every 

 year. * 



It was desirable to affect repairs without delay. 



These were carried out during October (after the still north- 

 east monsoon set in). At the same time Mr. D. A. L. Perera, Head 

 Draughtsman, Archaeological Survey, made, as directed, sketches, 

 and took full detail measurements of the hatares kotu and hot of 

 both Dagabas, to be drawn to scale when these Dagabas come 

 to be dealt with by the Archaeological Survey. It is hoped 

 that next season Mr. Perera may be able to complete similar 

 drawings of the several chapels, or offset altars, which stand 

 round the base of the Dagabas. 



Their true periphery will be ascertained by the survey of 

 Polonnaruwa now in hand. 



III. — Sigiriya. 



Beyond the annual clearing of the citadel on the summit and 

 of the terraces below the Rock, little work was done at Sigiriya 

 in 1906. 



The reduction of the Archaeological vote for 1905 prevented 

 arrangements being made for the usual supply of bricks, lime, 

 and sand for the continued restoration of the ' • gallery," &c. 



(a) " Gallery."'' — With such materials as remained from 1904 

 the stairs were rebuilt last season as far as the foot of the iron 

 ladders leading to the summit of the Rock. 



* This 44 scour " is very noticeable also on the outer face of the 

 4 ' Thuparama " and Jetawanarama '' ruins at Polonnaruwa ; and at 

 the Jetawanarama Dagaba, Anuradhapura, is so advanced as to 

 seriously endanger the stability of the pinnacle. 



