The Legacy of the British Garrison Cemetery: A Slice of British History in Kandy

While the city of Kandy is most popular for being the last capital of the historic Kandyan Kingdom and the home of the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, it also carries a slice of British history in the form of the British Garrison Cemetery. This old but not forgotten patch speaks to the presence of the British in Sri Lanka and the legacy of several of its key figures that shaped the historical events of the island.

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Location

This historic cemetery is located around 3 kilometres from the Kandy Railway Station and close to several historical and cultural sites including the Temple of the Tooth Relic and the Kandy National Museum. It is also easily accessible from any city hotel in Kandy, including the likes of Hotel Topaz which is around 15 minutes away.

Features

Established in 1822, after the British seized Kandy, the cemetery features several types of tombstones and headstones that reflect burial customs at the time. You’ll find examples of raised tombs and table tombs, obelisks, inscribed side tables, columns and more.

Notable Figures

The cemetery serves as the final resting place of several notable British individuals who were involved in Sri Lanka’s colonial past. It currently contains 195 graves of men, women and children with their names and living years engraved on tombstones. Of them, some of the most notable include Lieutenant General John Fraser, Sir John D’Oyly and Lady Elizabeth Gregory.

Restoration and Maintenance

After its establishment, the cemetery was closed in 1873 owing to a ban on burials within the municipal limits. The cemetery was restored in 1998 and is currently maintained by members of the group called ‘The Friends of the British Garrison Cemetery in Kandy’.