![Padukka World War I Peace Memorial](https://i0.wp.com/amazinglanka.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/padukka-01.jpg?resize=640%2C339&ssl=1)
Padukka a town lying 33 km from Colombo on the Awissawella road is believed to be founded as a base camp of the ancient Sitawaka Kingdom in the 16th century. It was a well-protected site with marshland and hills surrounding the site. The “Padukka” is derived from the two Sinhalese words “Paha Duka” meaning “sadness be gone” Legend says that the town got its name as it was under the “Naa” (Iron Wood) Trees in the town where the Portuguese Army rested after being defeated by the Army of King Seethawa Rajasinghe in the battle at the adjoining Hanwella Fort. It was said that the defeated Portuguese army rested there until they settled their minds. Thus in Sinhalese, it was called “Paha Duka” which became “Padukka”. The area was surrounded by rubber estates in the early 20th century.
At the centre of the Padukka town roundabout lies an old street lamp on a pedestal made of wrought iron painted in silver colour. Every day thousands pass this roundabout without even glancing at this monument at this curious lamp.
This is an early 20th-century lamp with 5 lamps on a single pole. The lamp structure is made of wrought iron. The lamps were lit by gas as there was no electricity those days. In the early days gas pipes were laid only in the city limits of Colombo. Therefore the gas lamps outside Colombo city were lit by gas stored in a tank at the base of the lamp post.
This special lamp post has been erected to commemorate the end of World War I and at the base of the lamp post you find the inscription “Erected by Peace Memorial Committee 1919”.
This lamp was situated at the centre of the road with no protection and in January 2019, exactly 100 years later a lorry ramped on the lamp post partially destroying the top port of the lamp. However, it was repaired to the original, jointly by the Seethawaka Pradeshiya Sabha and Archeology Department. It is maintained by the Padukka Traders Association and is powered by electricity today.
References
- Perera, K.N. (2023) ‘ War Memorials In Sri Lanka – Boer War (1899 -1902), First World War (1914 – 1918) And Second World War (1939 – 1945)’. Colombo: Sri Lanka Ex-Servicemen’s Association.
Also See
- Attractions of Sri Lanka
- Heritage of Sri Lanka
- Waterfalls of Sri Lanka
- Nature and Wildlife of Sri Lanka
- Other Places of Interest Within Close Proximity
Map of Padukka First World War Peace Memorial
The map above also shows other places of interest within a approximately 20 km radius of the current site. Click on any of the markers and the info box to take you to information of these sites
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Travel Directions to Padukka First World War Peace Memorial
Colombo to Padukka First World War Peace Memorial |
Via: Battaramulla – Godagama Distance: 33 kilometers Travel Time: 1 hour Driving Directions: see on Google map |
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