Kanatte Cemetery, Commonwealth War Graves Cemetery in Colombo, Sri Lanka.
Kanatte Cemetery is a war graves site in central Colombo located at the intersection of Elvitigala Mawatha, Bauddhaloka Mawatha, and D.S. Senanayake Mawatha. The grounds span approximately 48 acres and hold over 360 graves of Commonwealth personnel and other military personnel from World War I and II, arranged across different sections.
The site was established in 1866 as a burial ground and later became a memorial to military personnel from various conflicts. In the 1920s, remains were transferred from the former Galle Face Burial Grounds, consolidating Colombo's war graves in a single location.
The grounds contain separate burial sections for Hindu, Buddhist, Shinto, Roman Catholic, Anglican, and non-denominational Christian graves. This arrangement reflects how the site honors the religious diversity of those commemorated and the broader Sri Lankan community.
The grounds are expansive and take time to explore, especially if looking for specific graves. Contacting the Cemetery Manager in advance is helpful to locate graves and plan your route through the various sections of the property.
The graves include military personnel from multiple nations, among them German and Austrian soldiers alongside Commonwealth forces. This mix reflects how the site documents the cross-border impact of the world wars on different populations.
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