THEIR SACRIFICE FOR OUR FUTURE

As the road bends on a peaceful hillside twenty minutes drive from the centre of Kandy we find the final resting place of 203 souls. What is striking about this little cemetery is its peaceful beauty and immaculate presence.

- BY PAUL TOPPING

Buried in this impressively well-kept cemetery are people representing much of the British Empire at the time of the Second World War. In addition to British, Canadians, Indians, Africans and Ceylonese (as they then were) there are also French and Italians.

Most were serving in the British Army, with 32 individuals from the Royal Airforce and 16 from the Royal Navy. Not surprisingly, considering the geographic range, various religions are represented: Christian, Hindu, Muslim, Buddhist, Jewish and perhaps others.

Visiting this relatively small cemetery, set on a sloping hillside within a rolling landscape, it is difficult to remain unmoved once one passes through the gate. Most of these people died a long way from home.