Our city of රත්නපුර is known in the world as the Gem City. The reason for this is that this city is full of gems. Also, the fact that this city is a very important city historically is a matter of pride for the people of රත්නපුර.

Among the historical sites and monuments in රත්නපුර, the Hora Pillar ඔරලෝසු කණුව., which stands majestically in the city, which is a pride of the city, holds an important place.

During the time when Sri Lanka was a colony of Britain, British nationals who were employed in රත්නපුර joined the war on behalf of the British-led allies in the First World War, and this clock tower was built as a war memorial to commemorate the twenty-two British who died there.

At that time, the රත්නපුර Local Board decided to build a clock tower in රත්නපුර town and the War Memorial Committee held a competition to select a design and awarded prizes. It is recorded that the estimate for the clock here was 285 pounds submitted by the Times Supply Agencies of London and Mr. R. Bunning, the රත්නපුර Government Agent and Chairman of the රත්නපුර Local Board, approved it.

The cost of this clock tower was Rs. 11,000.00. This monument, built to commemorate the war heroes of the First World War that ended in 1918, was inaugurated on 17.03.1922. Mr. H. W. Codrington served as the රත්නපුර Government Agent at that time. The names of twenty-two war heroes are inscribed on this monument. According to the plan of the රත්නපුර Municipal Council, the height of the clock tower is 49 feet and 3 inches. The clock tower has always been a special event for the people of රත්නපුර, as it is used as a flood gauge and to express the identity of රත්නපුර.