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The large majority of citizens of Batticaloa hardly knew of the existence of a War Memorial in the heart of the town which was established by a philanthropist of Kalladi, in memory of youths who are leaving Sri Lanka volunteered for service in the British Army during the First World War of 1914 to 1918.

The War Memorial was a fountain and on a brass plate was inscribed the name of the youths concerned. For the past many years it lay hidden in the court grounds overgrown with weeds and other vegetation, until on an appeal made to the Acting Municipal Commissioner-cum-Additional Divisional Secretary, Batticaloa Town, E. Murali where within 48 hours of the appeal made to him by the President of the Batticaloa Vigilance Committee, Prince Casinader, the memorial was spruced up so efficiently on the orders of the Acting Commissioner and presents such a beautiful sight today. The only occasion in the past when the War Memorial Fountain spouted water was during the colonial times when on Kings and Queens Birthday celebrations the fountain worked.

The son of one of the youths whose name is engraved is to visit Batticaloa - Ranjit Casinader along with wife from Australia Jennie who would be delighted at the facelift given to what was a sorry spectacle of a War Memorial for the past many many years containing the name of Ranjit's father who later served as Deputy Director of Public Works and where his wife Laurel was the founder of the Ceylon Women's Association in London.

The Vigilance Committee is forwarding a 'Thank You' resolution to the Acting Commissioner of the Batticaloa Municipal Council, Mr. Murali and if only officials holding high posts would work at such speed the citizens would be greatly benefited, in their respective sphere of work.

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