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



seen to in 1909 when the damaged eastern inner wall of the shrine 

 is renewed), a bed of cement concrete, 6 in. in thickness, was laid 

 over the whole of the flat roof. The removal of the old roof 

 coating proved it to consist of loose disintegrated lime mixed 

 with earth, of no real protective value. A parapet gutter has 

 been run round, and a slight slope given from the base of the 

 central tower to pass off rain water freely. 



No gargoyles appear to have been utilized in former days, the 

 water merely finding its way through " weep-holes " in the parapet 

 down the face of the walls ; thereby causing serious damage. Next 

 year (1909) proper spouts, not marring the architectural character 

 of the structure, will be corbelled out, so as to throw the water 

 clear of the foundations. 



Another season's work will probably suffice to complete nearly 

 all that remains to be done to ensure the permanent safety and due 

 conservation of this handsome specimen of a Buddhist Vihare, 

 dating from the twelfth century, unique in retaining its arched 

 roof to this day. 



Siva Devdle No. 2. — The stone ceiling slabs of the vestibule to 

 this otherwise generally well preserved Hindu Shrine had in great 

 part fallen in, exposing the foot of the dome over the sanctum, 

 with the result that the door lintel was cracked owing to the weight 

 of the dome being thus unduly thrown on it. Temporary support 

 was given by stout timber shores. Last season (1908) all danger 

 of collapse was averted by inserting iron planks, one inch thick, 

 horizontally under the lintel and that part of the dome which 

 connects with the vestibule. 



The slab wall of the vestibule on the south-east has long been 

 forced out of the plumb, and is in a somewhat critical condition. 

 It will be taken down and re-set. 



III. — -S igiriya. 

 Clearing. 



The Mapagala rocks on the south of Sigiri-gala were re-cleared 

 in 1908, as well as the pita-bemma, or earthen ramp, marking 

 the enceinte of Sigiri-nuwara to the east. 



Restoration and Conservation. 



The slopes of the "Lion-staircase House" (through which 

 ascent was made to the upper part of the Gallery and Citadel 

 on the summit of the Rock in former days) had become deeply 

 scoured in places by water falling from the Rock. The exterior 

 face of the western half of this brick structure was rebuilt last 

 year in curvilinear stepped outline, and is now secure. 



The necessity for diverting the water which falls from a fissure 

 in the Rock scarp above, endangering the stability of the Gallery 

 near its north-west corner, was referred to a year ago. Since then 

 a " weather boarding," 24 ft. by 3 ft. (formed of stout iron planks 



