Ratnapura Clock Tower and World War Memorial (රත්නපුර ඔරලෝසු කනුව හා ලෝක සංග්‍රාම යුද්ධ ස්මාරකය)

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Ratnapura Clock Tower and World War Memorial

At the centre of Ratnapura Town lies the clock tower which was built as a monument for the fallen servicemen from Ratnapura District during World War I.

The names of servicemen who died in the First World War and the undermentioned wordings are recorded on the memorial. “THIS TOWER WAS ERECTED BY PUBLIC SUBSCRIPTION IN MEMORY OF THE MEN FROM THIS DISTRICT WHO LAID DOWN THEIR LIVES IN THE GREAT WAR 1914-1918 AND WHOSE NAMES ARE RECORDED THEREON”.

The clock tower was commissioned at the end of the war in 1920 by the Local War Memorial Committee to commemorate the fallen servicemen from Ratnapura District. The committee held a competition for the design of the clock tower and the winner was awarded 300 Rupees.

The clock tower made of stone blocks and bricks was completed in 17th of March 1922 at a cost approximately Rs.11,000/= and it was unveiled on 03rd June 1922. The clocks for the tower was supplied by A sum of 300 euros (£) has been spent on the watches, and it is said that they were brought from London’s Times Supply Agency.

Government Agent Browning noted in his diary the details pertaining to the construction of this clock tower on 13th October 1920.

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.

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Map of Kurunegala Clock Tower and World War Memorial

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Bandarawela in Colombo to Kurunegala Clock Tower and World War Memorial

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References

Also See

Map of Kurunegala Clock Tower and World War Memorial

Travel Directions to the Kurunegala Clock Tower and World War Memorial

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