6U 
JOURNAL, R.A.S. (CEYLON). [VOL. XVIIL 
In March last (1904) the Government Agent, North- Western 
Province, reported to Government that three courses of the cut 
stones on the western side of the last flight of steps to the " Dalada 
Maligawa " had sunk in such a way as to endanger the safety of the 
stone lion and the rest of the carved portion of the steps on that side, 
if not speedily repaired. 
The Public Works Department furnished a report and an estimate 
for repairing the staircase. The work was finished in the course of 
the year at a cost of Rs. G40. 
A small sum was also spent at Yapahuwa in clearing the jungle 
around the ruins. 
COCJNCIL. 
Two Members of the Council of 1903, viz., Messrs. S. M. Burrows 
and W. P. Ranasi^ha, having been deemed to have retired in accordance 
with Rule 16, the vacancies in the Council were filled by Mr. A. J. 
Chalmers, M.D., and Mr. P. Ramanathan, C.M.G., K.C. Mr. P. Freu- 
denberg, a MemlDer of the Council, was appointed a Yice-President in 
place of the Hon. Mr. J. Ferguson, C.M.G., who was appointed 
President. 
Honorary Treasurership. 
The office of Honorary Treasurer was filled by Mr. R H. Ferguson, 
B.A., in February, in succession to Mr. F. C. Roles, resigned. 
Mr. Roles filled the office of Honorary Treasurer of the Society with 
ability for eleven years, and the Society is indebted to him for 
discharging the duties of that office so efficiently for that period. 
The Council regret that Mr. H. C. P. Bell, who was Honorary 
Secretary of the Society for twenty-four years, and who so ably edited 
the Journals of the Society during that period, resigned in February 
last. The Council wish to place on record the valuable services 
rendered in various ways by Mr. Bell to the Society, and trust he may 
be persuaded to again become an Honorary Secretary and continue to 
place at the disposal of the Society his experience and knowledge. 
Presidentship. 
The Hon. Mr. J. Ferguson, C.M.G., the senior Vice-President, 
was appointed President in succession to the Hon. Mr. E. F. im Thurn, 
M.A., C.B., C.M.G,, Lieut.-Governor, who left the Island in September. 
At a General Meeting of the Society held on September 7 last, the 
following resolution was passed : — 
That the Members of the Ceylon Branch of the Royal Asiatic 
Society, while offering their congratulations to the Hon. Mr. Everard 
im Thurn, M.A., C.B., C.M.G., on his appointment as Governor of 
Fiji and High Commissioner of the Western Pacific, wish to place on 
record their regret that he is obliged to resign the office of President 
of this Society, and their gratitude for the constant interest which he 
has taken in its work." 
Finances. 
The receipts during the past year amounted to Rs. 3,123-13, compared 
with Rs. 2,316-88 in 1903. The balance at the beginning of 1904 was 
Rs. 931-77. The closing balance was Rs. 1,711-97, to which has to be 
added the Government grant of Rs. 500 not yet paid, making a total of 
Rs. 2,211*97. The duly audited statement of accounts is appended. 
