The inscription is engraved on all four sides of a broken pillar discovered in Giritaḷē, a village seven miles to the north-west of Poḷonnaruva, where it was first recorded by H. C. P. Bell in the Archaeological Survey of Ceylon Annual Report for 1905 (p. 39, no. 8). The pillar was subsequently brought to the premises of the Archaeological Commissioner at Anurādhapura, where it was seen by Senarath Paranavitana sometime before 1933. The lower part of the pillar is missing and the portions of the inscription on the second and fourth sides of the pillar are no longer legible. It is, however, apparent from the surviving parts of the inscription that, like the majority of pillar inscriptions of the tenth century, it is concerned with a grant of immunities to a certain land. The inscription is dated in the first year of King Udā Sirisaṅgbō, who is described as the son of Mahinda, the sub-king (or heir apparent) and who can therefore be identified as Udaya II (r. 952–955 A.D.).

Epigraphia Zeylanica
Paranavitana, S. (1928-33). ‘No. 10. Giritaḷē Pillar Inscription (A. S. I. No. 370.),’ Epigraphia Zeylanica 3, pp. 140–141.

Side A

 

On the tenth day of the waning moon in the month of Baga (March–April), in the first year after the raising of the umbrella by the great king U Siri Saṅgbo (P. Udaya Siri Saṅghabodhi) son of Mihind Mahayā (Mahinda, the heir apparent) son of the great king Siri Saṅgbo who reigned (with fame) wide spread in the ten regions after having enjoyed the dignities of (the ranks) ǟpä and mahayā and who was born in the womb of Queen (la) Gon of equal race unto the great king Abhā Salamevan (P. Abhaya Silāmeghavaṇṇa) who was descended from the lineage of King Okāvas (Skt. Ikṣvāku) who abounded in a multitude of boundless illustrious qualities and who had reduced the other Kṣatriya families of the whole Dambadiv (P. Jambudvīpa) to the position of vassals.

 

Touching the land named Purmigaṇa consisting of two fields (seṇās) of hulu (fenugreek), which was included among the Tamil lands and is situated in the Parisākuḷiya of the Eastern Quarter .. .. .. .. ..

 

Side C

 

.. .. .. .. shall not enter. Officers of the two treasuries and the two departments (of revenue and expenditure?) shall not enter. The melātti and the officers of the royal household shall not enter. (The officers named) ulvāḍu and perenāṭṭiyam shall not enter. Aräkkan and pereläkkan shall not enter. Archers and guards shall not enter. Officers in charge of the (royal) conveyances and bearers of iron clubs shall not enter. The magiva and pegiva shall not enter. Village cattle, milch-cows, carts, and buffaloes, shall not be taken. Labourers who serve by turns and rice given in rotation (by the villagers) shall not be taken. Tuḍi and soḷi (drummers) shall not enter. (Royal officers) shall not enter this village and arrest those who have come in after committing assault. Traitors to the royal family shall not be admitted to the village and given protection. The fish in the Bayavä (tank) .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..

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