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



Polonnaruwa. — The "camp" and " cooly lines " for the occupation 

 of the Archaeological Survey force are under construction at 

 Topavewa. In 1900, after the necessary annual clearing, &c, of the 

 ruins at Sigiriya, the Archaeological Commissioner will move on to 

 Polonnaruwa, and break ground at that ancient capital. 



Award of a Gold Medal as an encouragement to 

 Oriental Learning. 



In 1897 the Council of the Royal Asiatic Society established a Gold 

 Medal to be awarded every third year as an encouragement to Oriental 

 learning amongst English-speaking people. To meet the expenses 

 incurred in preparing a design, engraving dies, and finding an amount 

 to produce an income sufficient to defray the requisite charges, a sum 

 of about £400 will be necessary. Subscriptions, with interest, of £300 

 have already been received, and a balance of about £100 is therefore 

 still needed. 



Donations should be sent to the Chairman of the Medal Committee, 

 Royal Asiatic Society, 22, Albermarle street, London. 



International Catalogue of Scientific Literature. 



The Royal Society have undertaken to prepare and conduct a cata- 

 logue of all scientific literature published throughout the world. In 

 pursuance of the scheme the Asiatic Society of Bengal has, at the 

 request of the Royal Society, undertaken the formation and conduct 

 of a Regional Bureau for India and Ceylon. 



This Society has been invited to co-operate in the work, and the 

 Council take this opportunity of directing the attention of the authors 

 of Scientific Papers to the Circular on this subject; which is published 

 as an appendix to this report. The slips there applied for may be 

 forwarded to the Honorary Secretary of this Society. 



Council. 



Mr. F. M. Mackwood was elected a Vice-President in place of Mr. 

 Staniforth Green. The Council regret Mr. Green's departure from 

 the Island. He was connected for many years with the Society, being 

 a Member from 1866, and afterwards a Member of Council and Yice- 

 President. Mr. Green always took an active interest in the Society's 

 affairs, and his scientific attainments and general knowledge made him 

 a most valuable Member of the Council. 



,Two Members of the Council of 1898, viz., Messrs. O. Collett, 

 F.R.M.S., and P. Ramanathan, C.M.G., having been, by virtue of Rule 

 16, deemed to have retired by least attendance, the vacancies caused 

 by their retirement were filled by the appointment of Messrs. J. P. 

 Lewis and H. White. 



Finances. 



The total income for the year, exclusive of the balance in hand of 

 Rs. 1,418*14, was Rs. 2,024*17, and the expenditure amounted to 

 Rs. 1,839*29, the sum in hand at the close of the year being Rs. 1,603*02. 

 Considerable difficulty is still experienced in getting in outstanding 

 subscriptions. 



