Question 1

Where is the Commonwealth War Cemetery in Kandy?

Accepted Answer

The Kandy Commonwealth War Cemetery (also called the SEAC War Cemetery) is located near the Peradeniya Botanical Gardens, roughly 5 km west of Kandy city centre along the Peradeniya Road. Most visitors reach it by tuk-tuk or taxi, and it is easy to combine with a visit to the Botanical Gardens.

Question 2

How many soldiers are buried in the Kandy War Cemetery?

Accepted Answer

There are 203 burials in total, the great majority from the Second World War, along with one from the First World War. The nationalities include British, East African, Ceylonese, Indian, Canadian, French and Italian soldiers, as well as two whose identities could not be established.

Question 3

Is there an entry fee for the Kandy War Cemetery?

Accepted Answer

No. Commonwealth War Graves Commission cemeteries are always open to the public free of charge. Visitors are welcome to walk the grounds and consult the burial register kept on site.

Question 4

Who maintains the Kandy Commonwealth War Cemetery?

Accepted Answer

The cemetery is maintained by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC), a body established by Royal Charter in 1917. The CWGC is responsible for the graves of more than 1.7 million Commonwealth war dead worldwide and maintains consistent standards of upkeep at all its sites.

Question 5

Can I search for a specific soldier buried at the Kandy War Cemetery?

Accepted Answer

Yes. The CWGC maintains a free, searchable online database at cwgc.org that covers every burial under their care. You can search by name, regiment or nationality before your visit to identify the exact location of a specific grave within the cemetery.

Question 6

Why were soldiers buried in Kandy rather than closer to the front lines?

Accepted Answer

Kandy served as a major Allied military and medical hub during the Second World War, particularly after South-East Asia Command established its headquarters nearby. Soldiers who died of wounds, illness or accidents while stationed or hospitalised in Ceylon were interred at this central location rather than transported elsewhere.

Question 7

Are there Italian graves in the Kandy War Cemetery?

Accepted Answer

Yes, three Italian soldiers are buried here. Under the Geneva Conventions, enemy prisoners of war who died in captivity are entitled to proper burial and commemoration, and the CWGC has always honoured this obligation. Their headstones follow the same dignified standard as all other graves in the cemetery.

Question 8

What is the best time to visit the Kandy War Cemetery?

Accepted Answer

The cemetery can be visited year-round. Early morning or late afternoon are the most comfortable times, especially between April and August when midday temperatures in Kandy can be warm. The grounds are shaded, which helps, and the site is rarely crowded, making a quiet, unhurried visit possible at almost any hour.

Commonwealth War Cemetery

Nearby places