Kurunegala Clock Tower

Kurunegala Clock Tower

Kurunegala Clock Tower
Coordinates	7°29′12.8″N 80°21′54.3″E / 7.486889°N 80.365083°E / 7.486889; 80.365083
Location	Kurunegala, Sri Lanka
Material	Granite stone, cement, wood
Completion date	1922
Dedicated to	North Western Province soldiers who sacrificed their life in WWI & WWII[1]

The Kurunegala Clock Tower is located in the heart of Kurunegala, Sri Lanka. It is an iconic landmark of the Kurunegala city. The clock tower was built in 1922 in memory of the soldiers who participated in the World War I and World War II from North Western Province and died.^[2] The Kurunegala Court of Law, The Central Market and the Central Bus Stand are also situated in the vicinity of the clock tower.

History

11 soldiers from the North Western Province were killed in the First World War (1914–1918), including three Sri Lankans. Therefore, tower was erected to honor them, and 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"

However, 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. Entire tower, especially top appear like quadrangular castle. The tower has concrete and wood steps inside.^[4]

References