Borella Kanatte Commonwealth War Cemetery (බොරැල්ල කනත්ත පොදුරාජ්‍ය යුද සොහොන් පිටිය)

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Borella Kanatte Commonwealth War Cemetery

There are four Commonwealth war cemeteries found in Sri Lanka. Two are located in Colombo, one is in Kandy, the country’s hill capital and one is in Trincomalee. The Department of National Botanic Gardens maintains these four cemeteries with funding from the Commonwealth War Graves Commission. Additional Commonwealth war burials are found in the Nuwara Eliya Holy Trinity Churchyard (3 gravestones), Jawatte Muslim Cemetery (27 gravestones), Kuppiyawatte Muslim Cemetery (25 gravestones), and Kandy Mahaiyawa Cemetery (3 gravestones) ¹.

The two Commonwealth War Cemeteries in Colombo are found inside the Borella Kanatte Public Cemetery with 364 identified casualties and Jawatta Liveramentu Public Cemetery with 610 identified casualties¹.

The Borella Kanatte Cemetery is the main cemetery of Colombo. It covers 48 acres and is operated by the Colombo Municipal Council. The cemetery was established in 1866 by the British colonial rulers of that time. It has separate sections for Hindus, Buddhists, Shintos, Roman Catholics, Anglicans and non-denominational Christians.

The first burial in the cemetery was Fanny Caley, which took place on 5th May 1966. The first gravestone reads “Sacred to the Memory of FANNY, wife of J.A. CALEY Esq., C.C.S., died 5th May 1866. Aged 32″. James Augustus Caley worked for the Public Works Department, from 1844 to 1868 and retired as Assistant Civil Engineer².

The Colombo (Borella) Kanatte Commonwealth War Cemetery is a significant section within the larger Kanatte Cemetery in Colombo, Sri Lanka.

The Commonwealth Cemetery in Borella Kanatte commemorates soldiers from the Commonwealth who died during World War I and World War II. Several additional war graves are dispersed around the rest of the Borella Kanatte site. To locate any of the dispersed graves, it is advisable to make prior contact with the Cemetery Manager. To reach the Commonwealth War Graves Plot, follow the main avenue from the entrance for 150 metres and turn right at the sign for Plot 5D. Continue past the Cross of Sacrifice on the left side, and the plot is found 100 metres further along on the right side, enclosed within a fence and hedge¹.

References

Cwgc. (n.d.). The Commonwealth War Graves Commission | CWGC. The Commonwealth War Graves Commission. Retrieved June 19, 2024, from https://www.cwgc.org/
Lewis, J. (1913). List of Inscriptions on Tombstones and Monuments in Ceylon, of Historical or Local Interest, With an Obituary of Persons Uncommemorated. H. C. COTTLE.

Also See

Map of Borella Kanatte Commonwealth War Cemetery

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Travel Directions to Borella Kanatte Commonwealth War Cemetery

Route from Colombo Fort to Borella Kanatte Commonwealth War Cemetery

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References

Also See

Map of Borella Kanatte Commonwealth War Cemetery

Travel Directions to Borella Kanatte Commonwealth War Cemetery

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