Commonwealth cemetaries preserve their legacy with the greatest care

The public cemetary at Pitakanda is beautifully maintained

Story and photos By Shantha Chandrasiri Hulangune

The sight of a cemetery would spontaneously bring fear and trepidation to anyone’s heart, and only rarely would one have an iota of thought about the realities it symbolises. The gloomy ambiance of graveyards and the bizarre mythological beliefs that dominate peoples’ minds produce fear.   

This compels them to perform rites and rituals to dispel any possible evil from the dead transformed into malefic creatures. It is customary for those haunted with such beliefs to perform rites and rituals with the idea of appeasing or subjugating them. Particularly the legends in Sinhalese folklore are rich in stories about the frightful influence of the dead reincarnated as spirits. Even now, there are people who would not dare to walk past a cemetery at dusk. They quiver and shake with the drop of a leaf or the motion of a tree’s shadow.   

However , cemetaries which are lovely and attractive to look are not rare in Sri Lanka and many other counties as well. If the sight of a cemetary is fascinating, and fills one’s mind with serene joy, the thought of the dead would create moral and ethical edification instead of fear.  

The public cemetary at Pitakanda in Kandy which could be considered one of the most beautiful cemetaries in the country, perhaps in the whole world, is an example. It looks more like a public park. Its charming appearance and enviornmental beaulty would impress anyone passing with an impression of a well maintained public part worth a visit. Its enchanting and beautiful, sumptuously covered with eye catching foliage that enhances its environmental beauty, giving the impression that those lying under them are not vile but silent, patient and good souls.   

The cemetary at Pitakanda was established during British colonial rule to bury soldiers from Commonwealth who died in action during World War 11. It was thus named as a Commonwealth cemetary. Six more Commonwealth Cemetaries, four of them in Colombo and its environs, have been established in the country while others have been located in Trincomalee and Kandy.   

This Commonwealth cemetary located in an attractive site is maintained daily, and it is one of the most beautiful cemetaries in the world due to its scenic beauty.   

World War 11 which broke out in September 1939 lasted till August 1945 between Allied and Axis powers. France, Great Britain, USA and the Soviet Union formed the Allied side, while Germany, Italy and Japan were the Axis powers. British rulers had taken steps to bury in Sri Lanka more than 2000 soldiers who died in action. They were buried in Commonwealth cemetaries in Colombo, Kandy and Trincomalee.  

Pitakanda Commonwealth cemetary has the graves of 203 soldiers. It includes 16 Naval ratings, 151 army personnel, 32 air force personnel and a sailer of a merchant ship, and unidentified two others. British, African, Sri Lankan, Indian, Canadian, and French nationals are among them.  

The Pitakanda Commonwealth cemerary is maintained by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission. It is located in an attractive site and maintained by the Commission.  

Employees of the cemetary said that relatives of those buried there visit the cemetary at times and pay respect to those valiant men.   

Some village –Hampton, that with dauntless breast  

The little tyrant of his fields withstood;  

Some mute inglorious Milton here may rest,  

Some Cromwell guiltless of this country’s blood  - Thomas Grey