No. 55.— 1904.] ANNUAL REPORT. 
149 
in the Abhayagiriya area, and at a few other points. But the main 
expenditure of 1903 was incurred in the rooting out of jungle on the 
Arippu road, near Mirisaveti Dagaba. It is in this direction that 
official residences will most advantageously be built, as the town grows 
in importance. 
Sigiriya, 
The citadel on the summit of the Rock, the terraces at its base, and 
the caves and islands within the ancient city, were weeded and cleared 
as in previous years. 
Undergrowth not cleared for two seasons was cut and burnt over 
most of the city area, and on the Mapagala Rocks to the south. 
The restoration of the gallery has now reached the foot of the 
limestone steps at the head of the gallery staircase leading to the 
highest terrace on the north front of the Rock. The wide gap in the 
gallery between the iron bridge and these steps had to be built up and 
stepped almost from the bottom. The steps at this point, owing to 
the rock conformation, are awkwardly cramped and tortuous, but 
terminate in a wide straight staircase above. The work on the remain- 
ing portion of the staircase and flanking wall will be finished next 
season. Attention can then be given to the "Lion-staircase-house" 
at the foot of the ladders and railing to the summit. This brick 
structure needs strengthening in places. 
All difficulties have at length been overcome in the case of the larger 
of the two united fresco " pockets." In the cave a concrete bed was 
laid with a hand rail at the edge, iron standards let into the rock floor 
and roof, and suitable wire-netting stretched across. The smaller 
pocket is less accessible. It will be somewhat similarly protected, but 
the fixing of the iron work and netting involves even greater difficulty 
and danger than already experienced. By the end of another season 
it is hoped that it may be possible to leave the unique paintings of 
Sfgiriya for ever guarded against the invasion of swallows, hamharu^ 
and mason bees. 
Polonnaruwa. 
The Archaeological Commissioner annually takes personal charge of 
the operations at Polonnaruwa during the dry months, whilst his 
Assistant carries on work at Anuradhapura. 
From May till September of last year — the fourth season — good 
work was done at one of the more important groups of ruins. This 
cluster is situated east of Topavewa lake, and directly north of the 
citadel and miscalled " Dalada Maligawa " ruin. It comprises in all 
nearly a dozen buildings, of which the chief are : — 
(1) " Thupdrdma''' (so-called). Brick-built Vihare. 
(2) " Wata-dd-ge^'^ or "Circular Relic-house." — Dagaba surround- 
ed by stone columns and walls, on a double stylobate. 
(3) Sat-maJial-prasdda.'' 
(4) Yihare No. 1. — " Heta-dd-ge,'' so-called. 
(5) Vihare No. 2.--Smailer than No. 1. 
(6) Yihare No. 3. — Containing remains of recumbent Buddha in 
brickwork. 
(7) Square Stone-railed Relic- house — NissanJca lata mandc- 
paya''). 
All the buildings stand upon a highly raised quadrangle entered 
through porches on the west and east sides. This group of ruins was 
thoroughly excavated in 1903 ; but some buildings need much resetting. 
