184 



Rock Inscriptions. 



regarding the edifice. Of this inscription an account was in 

 1832 transmitted by Simon Casie Chitty, Esquire, to the 

 Ceylon Literary Society. At that time the stone was probably 

 less dilapidated than at present, and it would be well to ob- 

 tain the copy then made. I have unfortunately not been able 

 to ascertain where it was deposited when the Society was 

 broken up. 



No. VI. This inscription I lately found when visiting the 

 Rock temple of Ehelegame near Nahnerie near the boundary 

 between the Meddhe Pattoo of Kambemoole and Hattalis 

 Pahai Corles. It is engraved on a slab placed in the centre of 

 a platform, surrounded by dwellings for the priests, Vihares, 

 &c. ; the surface of the stone has weathered considerably and 

 has, I am afraid, obliterated one line completely. In the jungle 

 around this temple there are very many pillars, ruined Da- 

 gob as, &c. ; shewing that at one time Ehelegame must have 

 been a place of considerable importance. 



No. VII. This inscription was lately pointed out to me 

 when passing through the village of Palligame, about ten 

 miles from Kurnegalle, and close to the Kandy road. There 

 I found extensive remains of ecclesiastical buildings, some 

 being of much more ancient date than others. There are nu- 

 merous neatly carved stones strewn about, and several wells 

 cut to a considerable depth. The natives, as usual, believe 

 that large sums of treasure are concealed near these ruins, 

 and pointed out a rude figure of a man or demon which they 

 suppose to bear some reference to the hidden wealth. 



A great portion of the rock appears to have been at some 

 time or other covered with inscriptions: of these a great 

 portion is now lost. I could only trace with tolerable cer- 

 tainty so much as is here given. The spot itself bears the 

 local name of Viharre Godde. 



