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



The Archaeological Commissioner has favoured the Council with the 

 following synopsis of work done by the Archaeological Survey during 

 1898:— 



Anuradhapura. 



Comparatively little progress was made at Anuradhapura last year, 

 owing to the absence of the Archaeological Commissioner and his labour 

 force at Sigiriya for seven months. Excavations were continued 

 between Ruwanveli and Thuparama and at " Ellala Sohona." On 

 the " Y Road " a solitary ruin of brick and mortar was unearthed. It 

 proves to be an ancient Tamil kovil. 



Sigiriya. 



The usual season of four months was prolonged to August, in 

 order to virtually close excavations upon, and at the base of, the Rock 

 at Sigiriya. A good deal of work remains to be done in and near, 

 the ancient Nuwara surrounding Si'giri-gala. 



The maluwa, or uppermost terrace, at the foot of the present iron 

 ladders on the north of the Rock was thoroughly laid bare, disclosing the 

 claws of the once colossal brick and stucco lion, through whose jaws 

 and body the covered staircase was carried upwards to the summit. 

 The Maliaicansa explanation of the name Siha-giri, or "Lion Rock," 

 is thus fully justified.* To the west of the Rock the terraces lying 

 between the northern and southern stairways leading to the gallery 

 were very completely excavated, as well as the caves beneath the 

 boulders scattered round the " Audience Hall Rock." 



The floor and inner wall of the unique gallery itself have been 

 strongly repaired to save them, as far as practicable, from further 

 wear, and the wing walls of the south staircase — the only possible 

 approach nowadays— partially rebuilt for greater security. 



The Government has decided to conserve the whole area formerly 

 covered by Sigiri Nuwara. The jungle will be kept down annually, and 

 the excavations cleaned. 



Circuit. 



No regular circuit work was attempted in 1898. 



Clearing of Jungle at Anuradhapura. 



The Government, recognizing the importance of further opening 

 out the jungle-bound ruins of Anuradhapura, sanctioned in 1898 an 

 extra vote of Rs. 2,000 for the purpose. With this sum, and a moiety 

 of the annual grant, the Archaeological Commissioner was enabled to 

 clear and burn 500 acres and upwards of jungle outside the town, 

 A similar vote has been allowed for the current year. 



Reorganization of the Archaeological Survey. 



Upon the recommendations of a Commission appointed by His 

 Excellency the Governor, which have been approved, the Archaeo- 

 logical Survey will be materially strengthened from 1899. 



A Labour Assistant has, at length, been given to the Commissioner, 

 relieving him of much of the outdoor and mechanical work which has 

 hitherto unduly taxed his time for research, and delayed the publication 

 of Progress Reports. 



In addition, Messrs. D. M. de Z. Wickramasinha and B. Gunasekara, 

 Mudaliyar, have been appointed to assist Mr. Bell in the Epigraphical 



* Malidwansa, chapter XXXIX., 3. 



