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JOURNAL, R.A.S. (CEYLON). [VOL. XVIII. 
In several respects the Toluvila Monastery stands unrivalled among^ 
the ruins of Anuradhapura yet dealt with. Succintly, the general plan 
of these ruins may be thus described : — 
On the north a spacious raised quadrangle with four entrance 
porches (cloratu) and a moulded ramp of cut stone supporting 
alternately brick elephants (heads and front legs) and pilasters in high 
relief. This enclosure contains four shrines — vihare, loata-dd-ge^ 
dagaba, and pilima-ge. 
From this quadrangle runs, for some 250 yards or more, a wide 
street between low walls of dressed stone. Off this street on either 
hand, lying in double rows, well apart and separated by streets parallel 
with the central thoroughfare, are many piriven^ each with its own 
outhouse and lavatory. 
Passing over a smaller raised quadrangle and a half-way halting 
place, star-shaped — both open and approachable by steps from all 
sides — the main street reaches, on the south, another and larger 
quadrangular area. 
Within this southern quadrangle is a smaller enclosure at a higher 
level, containing a central terraced vihare flanked by four piriven and 
other connected buildings with their accessories. 
In 1895-1896 the monastery was excavated as far as the limited 
Archaeological vote justified, having regard to rapid progress. The 
superincumbent earth was removed from all the ruins — nearly a 
hundred buildings — by trenches run round theirbasements. This partial 
excavation, whilst it permitted of each ruin being studied in itself, left 
the surrounding earth^ — the accretion of centuries — undug, rendering 
a comprehensive view of the ruins impossible. 
Last year, under Government sanction, the heavy task of removing 
all the intermediate earth between the ruins in the southern quadran- 
gle and the piriven lying to the west of the central street was 
undertaken and nearly completed. At the same time the forest was 
thinned out and parked. 
This tedious but desirable double work has vastly improved the ap- 
pearance of the ruins pro tanto and made them easily accessible from 
the new road to the Kailway Station. 
The further opening out of the monastery, round its north-west 
side, will be continued gradually as soon as the Archaeological vote 
(temporarily reduced by Rs. 10,000) is again capable of bearing the 
cost, 
II. — Poloiindruim. 
As at Anuradhapura, the Archaeological Survey virtually "marked 
time " in excavations at the later capital. 
The earth spoil round the rubble revetment of the raised qusdrangle 
containing the so-called Thiiparama, Wata-da-ge, Sat-mal-prasada, 
&c.,. was partly removed on the west. 
To the south of the ancient city some clearing was done near the 
rock-cut figure adjoining the tank bund. This erect figure has been 
hitherto strangely described as a statue cf King Prakrama Bahu. Cut 
from the live rock, it stands 11 ft. 6 in. Clad only in a loin cloth 
and tall head dress, wearing no ornaments, heavy in features, with 
beard long and grizzled, the figure possesses no single trait of that 
" divinity which doth hedge a king." The roll, or ola book, held in 
both hands, and the whole appearance and pose, manifessly stamp the 
figure as representing some aged fakir or religious teacher. 
