Kandy Garrison Cemetery Tourism

Type of destination: Historical Cemetery

Ideal visit duration: 30 minutes to 1 hour

The Kandy Garrison Cemetery is a British colonial-era cemetery in Kandy, Sri Lanka, located adjacent to the Temple of the Tooth Relic's grounds. It was established in 1822 and used until the 1870s to bury British nationals who died in Ceylon during colonial rule. Visitors to the cemetery will find roughly 163 graves with tombstones and epitaphs that provide not only a resting place for the departed but also a glimpse into the hardships of colonial life, where many succumbed to diseases like malaria. The cemetery is well-maintained, displaying the diverse array of flora that beautifies the somber setting. It is managed by a caretaker, who often provides informative tours explaining the history of the inhabitants. The tranquil location serves as a poignant reminder of the city's colonial past and offers an opportunity for quiet reflection. Notably, there are a few notable graves, such as that of Sir John D’Oyly who played a pivotal role in the annexation of the Kandyan Kingdom to British rule.

Top 5 Reviews on Kandy Garrison Cemetery

X1923OOmichaela

Wrote on 14th Mar, 2024

Closed at present but interesting records

The cemetery is currently closed as a wall has collapsed but the small entrance “museum” has interesting records about the burials - and the guardian did shake the hand of the now King Charles.

Fentonfamily31

Wrote on 29th Jan, 2024

A hidden gem, that needs to be reopened as soon as!

This is definitely worth a visit….but only if you get to meet the caretaker, Harsha. Unfortunately it has been closed for over 18 months due to a fallen wall, although to be honest the danger was not ..

Gnatfig

Wrote on 5th Nov, 2023

A hidden gem, worth discovering

Please visit this cemetery. Its a hidden gem. Your visit won't take long but the passion with which the caretaker will tell you about the history is heartwarming. Although public access is not all..

petermY2777LY

Wrote on 6th Oct, 2023

Kandy Garrison Cemetery

This is also known as the British Garrison Cemetery as it is a British Cemetery for the British who died in Ceylon (now Sri Lanka) It was established in 1817 and closed in 1873 due to bans on burials..

WanderingMoments

Wrote on 31st Mar, 2023

Peaceful, interesting cemetery that needs our help

The Kandy Garrison Cemetery is a tranquil, lovely place to visit. Like an open-air museum, this cemetery is packed full of history: stories of lives, stories of place. Managed by the Commonwealth War..