British Garrison Cemetery, Kandy - Timings, History, Best Time to Visit

At a distance of 3 km from Kandy Railway Station, British Garrison Cemetery, also known as the Kandy Garrison Cemetery is a British cemetery located near the Temple of Sacred Tooth Relic. It is one of the best places to visit in Kandy.

The cemetery was established in 1817 CE just after the British captured the Kandy for the British nationals who died in Ceylon. It was closed in 1873 due to a ban on burials within the municipal limits, although special provision was given to allow the burial of relatives of those interred in the cemetery, with the last person buried there being Annie Fritz in 1951. The cemetery contains 195 graves of men, women, and children. The names and the living years of those who buried were engraved on the tombstones. The most common causes of death were tropical diseases such as malaria and cholera.

The cemetery was restored in 1998 using financial contributions from the Commonwealth War Graves Commission and is currently maintained by a group called 'The Friends of the British Garrison Cemetery in Kandy'. The cemetery is located within the land of the Sri Dalada Maligawa or the Temple of Sacred Tooth Relic. The cemetery is maintained by the British while the Diyawadana Nilame and the Chief Prelates maintain the land. Prince Charles made a visit to the graves in November 2013.

Timings: 8 AM - 6 PM

Entry: Free