Discovered for scholarship by H.C.P. Bell in September 1897, the inscription is cut into the surface of the rock near the crest of a ridge at Mōlāhiṭiyavelēgala, a low reach of rock running East–West in parallel with the Dim̆bulāgala hills, about ten miles to the south-east of Poḷonnaruva. Four inscriptions, including the present record, are engraved at the termination of two long parallel lines in the rock, possibly marking a “procession path”.
The present inscription records that king Abaya donated a canal to the monks residing in the Pilipavata monastery. Directly underneath the inscription, another record is inscribed (IN03119). The two inscriptions are surrounded by a decorative frame and it is clear that they are intended to be read together. The second inscription records the confirmation by king Naka of the donation mentioned in the first inscription. Senarath Paranavitana identified Abaya and Naka – the two kings mentioned in these records – with, respectively, Bhātika Abhaya (r. 20 B.C.–A.D. 9) and his younger brother and successor Mahānāga, surnamed Mahādāṭhika (r. A.D. 9–21).
Hail! King Abaya, eldest son of King Kuṭakaṇa and grandson of the great King Devanapiya Tisa, dedicated with the golden vase (i.e. having poured water into the hands of the donee with a golden vase), the canal of Gaṇa .. ṭaka in the Ataragaga (country) to the monks (residing) in the Pilipavata Monastery.
Other versions
Hail! King (Gamani) Abhaya, son of King Jettha (Tissa) the Crook-Nosed, (and) grandson of the Great King (Vasaba) Tissa beloved of the gods (Devanampiya), ordered (that) a golden finial (be fashioned for) the Community of Bhikkus in Ati (..) yeli Parvata Vihara of (.. ..) ṭaka at Atara-ganga.