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



Passing by this, one finds that all the little undulations in 

 the surface of the rock are dammed across, so as to catch water, 

 till suddenly one alights upon a magnificent pokuna cut out 

 of the living rock, measuring 77 J ft. by 58 J ft. by about 5 ft. in 

 depth, full of sweet water. 



The sides are perfectly cut, and the whole is a triumph of 

 stone cutting, for the rock at this point is completely solid. 

 Small deflecting bunds still exist, which directed the rain water 

 into this perfect tank, till difference of level rendered them 

 inoperative. 



Leaving the tank or pokuna to the south-west, one finds the 

 rock rising slightly into a densely wooded summit. Here one 

 finds the remains of a huge fort-like building with stone walls. 

 I was unable, as I was unprepared at the time, to make a 

 detailed survey of this building, so as to gather its particulars 

 of exact outline, but measured at hazard it appeared to be 

 about 440 ft. long by 385 ft. wide and divided into an outer 

 and inner series of outposts. At certain intervals I found 

 passages through the walls with one that formed what I call 

 a baffle doorway. The door frame was evidently a mixture of 

 wood and stone, the sills indicating a baffle system, as the 

 sketch will show (fig. 1). It will be seen that there is a double 

 series of mortice holes, the larger facing the outer side of the 

 building, and the smaller the inner. 



It suggests itself to me that the position and relative sizes 

 of the mullions would effectively afford resistance from the 

 inside, while admitting both light and air, and also a hindering 

 " baffle " from within, so that before a would-be invader could 

 get a direct blow at the defender on the inside, the former 

 would have to squeeze his way through a double phalanx of 

 posts. 



This building or fort that I speak of commands the very 

 summit of the mountain, and is approximately 1,200 feet 

 altitude. From it one can get an unbroken sweep of view 

 from the Tamankaduwa hills on the north to Arugam bay in 

 the south-east. To the east Batticaloa is clearly seen, and of 



