No. 42.— 1891.] 



PROCEEDINGS. 



29 



Archaeology. 



No. 131. Anuradhapura, November 21, 1890. 



Sir, — In connection with my letter No. 129 of yesterday I have the 

 honour to supply an omission. 



It should have been added that some further protection than is given 

 by the Ordinance No. 17 of 1887 is provided for in the Forest Ordi- 

 nance (No. 10 of 1885) by " forest produce " being somehow stretched 

 so as to cover ruins. 



It may be as well not to expunge " ruins " from the Ordinance of 1885, 

 having once found a place there, for their preservation is thus addi- 

 tionally safeguarded. But in any case the importance of extending 

 the interpretation clause of Ordinance 17 of 1887, by inserting the 

 wosds suggested by me, demands attention. 



The Forest Ordinance does not touch the question of remuneration 

 to finders of objects of archaeological value. 



I am, &c, 



H. C. P. Bell, 

 Archaeological Commissioner. 



The Hon. the Colonial Secretary. 



Government Circular No. 57. 



Colonial Secretary's Office, 



Colombo, June 26, 1891. 



Sir,' — I am directed to issue for your information and guidance the 

 annexed instructions relative to the better preservation of objects of 

 Archaeological interest throughout the Island, and to impress upon 

 you the desirability of taking prompt and effectual steps in accordance 

 therewith for the due protection of ruins, &c, already known in your 

 district, and of any that may be discovered hereafter. 



I am, &c, 



E. Noel Walker, 



Colonial Secretary. 



Preservation of Antiquities. 



1. All discoveries of Ruins and other objects of Archaeological 

 interest should be reported without delay to the Government Agent or 

 Assistant Government Agent of the district within which the discovery 

 is made. When such report is received, the Government Agent will 

 issue orders for the proper preservation of objects discovered in situ, 

 or for their removal to a local Museum (where such exists) or to some 

 other suitable place. 



2. As a general principle the Government is entirely opposed to 

 the removal of any object still in situ. The great majority of 

 Archaeological discoveries consists of the remains of buildings, massive 

 pillars, &c, which cannot be removed, and should for other reasons be 

 preserved where they stand. On the other hand, isolated remains 

 (capitals without their shafts, stray pillars, figures, inscribed slabs, &c, 

 the original site of which is unknown, or such as are lying neglected 

 about the country and liable to be mutilated by the people, may with 

 propriety be removed, in order to save them from future injury, to some 



