These are all views of Nissanka Malla’s council chamber. Remember the two meanings I know of about the lion: Buddha was the Shakya- Simha, or lion of the Shakya clan; and the Sinhalese origin tale says that the exiled north Indian prince who with his followers found refuge in Sri Lanka was the Sinha (lion) prince. I just thought this lion carving, situated as it was surrounded by green grass, the lake and other ruins; at the head of the council chamber (on each pillar is written the name of the minister who sat by it), was particularly attractive.