Our city of இரத்தினபுரி 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 இரத்தினபுரி.

Among the historical sites and monuments in இரத்தினபுரி, the Hora Pillar மணிக்கூண்டு, 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 இரத்தினபுரி 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 இரத்தினபுரி Local Board decided to build a clock tower in இரத்தினபுரி 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 இரத்தினபுரி Government Agent and Chairman of the இரத்தினபுரி 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 இரத்தினபுரி Government Agent at that time. The names of twenty-two war heroes are inscribed on this monument. According to the plan of the இரத்தினபுரி 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 இரத்தினபுரி, as it is used as a flood gauge and to express the identity of இரத்தினபுரி.