Kurunegala Clock Tower

The Kurunegala Clock Tower is located in the heart of Kurunegala, Sri Lanka. The clock tower was built in 1922 in memory of the soldiers from North Western Province who participated in the First World War and died.[2] The Kurunegala Court of Law, The Central Market and the Central Bus Stand are also near the clock tower.

Kurunegala Clock Tower
Kurunegala Clock Tower
Coordinates7°29′12.8″N 80°21′54.3″E
LocationKurunegala, Sri Lanka
MaterialGranite stone, cement, wood
Completion date1922
Dedicated toNorth Western Province soldiers who died in both World Wars[1]

History

Eleven soldiers from the North Western Province were killed in the First World War (1914–1918), including three Sri Lankans. The tower was erected to honor them, and a memorial plaque on the tower has the following inscribed:

"This Clock Tower was erected in memory of those who went from the North Western province at the call of duty and gave their lives for the empire in the World War in 1914–1918"

Soon after 1945, the tower was also dedicated to the valiant officers who sacrificed their lives in the Second World War (1939–1945).[3]

Features

Quadrangular shape clock tower is constructed with granite stone, cement and wood. The entire tower, especially the top, appears similar to a quadrangular castle. There are concrete and wooden steps inside.[4]

References
  1. Dhananjani Silva (28 September 2014). "Kurunegala, a regal city". The Sunday Times. Sri Lanka. Retrieved 20 July 2015.
  2. "Unveiling the beauty of Athugalpura". Ceylon Today. Retrieved 20 July 2015.
  3. "Sri Lanka war monuments". Silumina (in Sinhala). Archived from the original on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 20 July 2015.
  4. "මහායානයයි - හීනයානයයි එකට පැටලුණු වංග දේශය". Mawbima (in Sinhala). Retrieved 20 July 2015.
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