The inscription consists of 39 lines engraved on the ruled surface of a stone slab. It was discovered in 1892 by the Archaeological Commissioner (Mr. H.C.P. Bell) a hundred years south of the ‘Cooly Shelter’ at Ram̆bǟva (Rambewa) and subsequently moved to Anurādhapura. Wickremasinghe describes Ram̆bǟva as a well-known village in Kǟn̆dǟ-kōrale at the junction of the two main roads from Anurādhapura and from Mihintale, about nine miles north-east of the former town. The inscription is dated to the first year of the reign of king Siri Saňg-bo Abhā, identified by Wickremasinghe with Mahinda IV. It records a grant of lands and immunities to one Kiliňgu-ra Pirivat Hämbuvan, to be held by him and his descendants for the purpose of supplying oil to illuminate the stone image of the Buddha at the Sacred Bōdhi-tree.
[Lines 1-6.] Hail! The great king Siri San̆g–bo Abhā was born unto [the great king] Siri San̆g–bo Abhā, the Kṣatriya lord, descended from the royal line of the Okkāka dynasty, which, abounding in an assemblage of benignant, boundless and transcendental virtues, has caused other Kṣatriya dynasties of the whole of Jambudvīpa to render it homage: [he was born] of the womb of the anointed queen Dev Gon of equal birth and descent. After enjoying (the dignities of governor and chief governor), he in due course became king, was anointed on his head, (resplendent with the bejewelled crown,) with the unction of world supremacy, and illumined the Island of Laṅkā with his glory.
[Lines 10-17.] He caused the eyes of the auspicious colossal stone-statue at Abhayagiri–vihāra to be set with brilliant sapphires of the first water. At (Bo)ḷatuḷa–vehera in the province of Ruhuṇu, conquered by his own valour, he caused to be made a golden image of the Chief of Sages (Buddha) . . . . . . . . . and on its sacred head . . . . . . . . . . . . . kindly services to those engaged in . . . . . . . . . . patronage to the learned, floods of pleasant words to the righteous . . . . . . and to all friends. He made good deeds . . . . . . . his own treasure.
[Lines 17-30.] Whereas in the first year since the elevation of the canopy (of dominion) by this great king Siri San̆g–bo Abhā, on the tenth day of the bright half of the lunar month of Väp (Sept.-Oct.), it was declared by His Majesty in Council that from three kiriyas [sowing-extent of land] at Asun–piṭi–teya in Kiḷind–den̆gdara in the district of Kalaṇu, together with the outlying lands and orchards appertaining to these three kiriyas, as well as Kuṭṭāvatta in this district: from the fields with their produce in Moroṇ̆ḍu–Mahasen–gamiya in the two viyalas of pisambur: from the sambhōga village Van̆gurupiṭi together with the fields situated therein and gardens attached thereto, but exclusive of what is dedicated to the Saṅgha: from all these places there shall be supplied oil during two months every year at the rate of (a lahas measure a week) for the purpose of keeping alight the lamps in the house of the incomplete stone-statue of the Lord Buddha at the house of the Sacred Bōdhi-tree in Mahāvihāra. Should there arise a dispute as regards these [regulations], the upright monks of the Mahāvihāra shall settle it.
[Lines 30-39.] All these lands shall be enjoyed by Kilin̆gu–rad Pirivat Hämbuvan, his children, grandchildren, and their descendants. Into these [lands] there shall not enter deruvanǟ dekam-tän, väri, perenāṭṭu, kulī, melātti . . . . . . village oxen, temple-employees and officers of bowmen. And no allotments in these lands shall be taken.
We all of us, namely, Mekāppar Vatkämi Akureḷi Äputtem and Ät Sātem (both) of the family of Duhala Kumaru; Mahakilin̆g–gam Kilin̆gu Vadurā of the family of . . . . . . . . and Kuḍasalā Vatkämi–deṭim of the family of Vaṭarak San̆gā Araksamaṇan, have come and granted these [aforesaid] immunities by means of a stone [slab] of Council Warranty.
Whoever commits infringement of this [edict] shall be [born] a crow or a dog [in the future birth].