The pillar was first discovered sometime in or before 1886 by H. Parker in the forest below the embankment of the Padaviya Tank “at the site of an ancient town which is now called Moragoḍa”. It was still there, “lying prone among the ruins”, when Bell and Wickremasinghe visited the spot in October 1891. The pillar is inscribed on all four sides in the Sinhalese alphabet of the 10th century A.D. The inscription is dated in the sixteenth year of reign of king Kasub Sirisaṅgbo, identified as Kassapa IV (r. 912-929 A.D.) It proclaims the grant of certain immunities to lands irrigated by the waters of the Padonnaru tank.
[Side A] Whereas, on the third day of the waxing moon of [the month of] Poson in the sixteenth [regnal] year of His Majesty Kasub Sirisan̆gbo, brother of the great king Udǟ Abhay, who having brought under one rule the Ruhuṇu Province and the Mala District, secured for himself the enjoyment of the combined wealth, glory, and prosperity that prevailed in the beautiful Island of Laṅkā, it was [so] declared [by His Majesty], there came together by Order of the Supreme Council, Mulavaḍā-Sakarā and Ataragalu-Kottā, [both] of the family of Mekāppar–Vädǟrum Senevi–raju Vadurā.
[Side B] And whereas, in regard to the grounds contained within the precincts of the eight sacred places (in the tract of land irrigated by the flow of waters stored up) in the tank Padonnaru–kuḷiya, belonging to the Vädǟrā–Pirivena, which was attached to the Man̆gul-Pirivena situated at the Abhayagiri-vihāra, in the range of [parivēṇas called] Kukuḷgiri, all these immunities were declared and granted, namely:—Coolies and melāksī shall not enter. Heads of Districts or keepers of (district) record-books shall not enjoy [this property].
[Side C] The distribution of water-supply shall not be appropriated. Field-workers, field-serfs, or enforcers of customary practices shall not enter. Perenāṭṭuvam shall not enter. Archers or foot-soldiers shall not enter. Holders (?) of [the management of] two places of business shall not enter. Carts, oxen, buffaloes, or labourers shall not be appropriated. Those who live by highway robbery or by vagrant habits shall not be admitted. All the places outside (the bounds) on the front road, (the fruits whereof) are being enjoyed, shall be included [in this property].
[Side D] If there be any one in this village who has committed a murder, he shall be expelled from the village. Those who have entered [the village] after committing a murder shall not be harboured. Residents . . . . . . here shall not go away (from the place). Should they go, the inhabitants outside shall not give them refuge.
This pillar of Council Warranty was set up conjointly [by the above-named officials].
Should there be any persons who transgress this order, may they become crows or dogs [in their future births].