While this may seem ugly, Borella kanatta is one of the most beautiful places you can visit. It has been a cemetery for over 170 years and its trees and paths are old. Kanatte Cemetery, also known locally as Borella Cemetery, is the main cemetery and crematorium in Colombo. It is located at the intersection of Elvitigala Mawatha (Narahenpita Road), Bauddhaloka Mawatha (Bullers Road), and D. S. Senanayake Mawatha (Baseline Road).
The 19.3-hectare (48-acre) cemetery is owned and operated by the Colombo Municipal Council and includes a Commonwealth War Cemetery. War graves include the graves of a German soldier, a German merchant sailor, a German civilian, and an Austrian nurse. More than 60 Commonwealth soldiers from World War I and nearly 300 Commonwealth soldiers from World War II are buried here.
The cemetery was founded in 1866 and is a cemetery for all religions and nationalities, with separate sections for Hindus, Buddhists, Shintos, Roman Catholics, Anglicans, and non-denominational Christians. A lot of famous people in local history have been buried here, including Arthur C. Clarke, some of our film industry’s actors and actresses, and even those who died at war. In addition to the Sri Lankan tombs, the Indian, British, Australian, and French grades are also interesting.
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Tombs carry the stories of those who have passed away over the years and occasionally you will find a beautiful line or two on the marble. Some tombs are very simple, with a cross or slab or intricately intricate stonework, while others are small monuments spherical or in the shape of angels. The place is full of huge and fresh flowers, plants, and birds, flowing through the land in a row full of petals.
This place is full of interesting but scary stories. Over the years, there have been several reports of mysterious activities at the cemetery. Trustees reported seeing ghost meetings at a crossroads where four roads meet. It’s scary at night but the gates are locked around 6 PM. But often that place gives a very meditative shock. Shade from the green layers of large trees, bright shrubs in red and purple flowers, and stone carvings of memories of people who once lived among us, walking here alone can be a powerful experience.
