Sri Lanka's rich cultural heritage is depicted through various museums scattered
all over the country.
National Museum, Colombo: It is the oldest and largest Museum in
the country, established in 1877. Housed in a fine colonial-era building,
the museum is famous for collection of ancient royal regalia, Sinhalese
artwork (carvings, sculptures et al.), antique furniture, china, and Ola
manuscripts. The museum contains: more than 4.000 palm leaf manuscripts;
ancient and medieval jewelry; rare collection of traditional masks; wood
and ivory carvings; temple frescoes; ceramics objects including VOC plates
of the Dutch period; stone sculpture and lithic inscriptions. The museum
is open daily from 09.00 hrs to 17.00 hrs except on Fridays.
National Museum of Natural History, Colombo: It is located in the
same premises as the National Museum. This museum depicts natural heritage
of Sri Lanka. It displays birds, mammals, reptiles, sea-mammals, insects,
botanical plants, gems and geological specimens of Sri Lanka. The museum
is Open daily from 09.00 hrs to 17.00 hrs.
The Dutch Period Museum, Colombo: The museum is housed in the old
`Dutch House' on Prince Street, Pettah, which was earlier the residence
of Count August Carl Van Ranzow. The museum displays Dutch legacy through
artifacts such as furniture, ceramics, coins, arms etc. The museum is open
daily from 09.00 hrs to 17.00 hrs except on Fridays.
Bandaranaike Museum, Colombo: The museum contains photographs, objects
and documents of former Prime Minister Mr. S. W. R. D. Bandaranaike who
was assassinated in 1959.
The National Maritime Museum, Galle: The museum is housed in an old
Dutch building in the historic fort of Galle. It has on display objects
connected with marine biology and botany and also some beautiful diagrams
showing local fishing methods, natural coral beds, sea grass beds and deep
sea fishes. The museum is open daily from 09.00 hrs to 17.00 hrs.
Gems Museum, Ratnapura: The museum displays its collections of pre
historic objects and fossile of Rhinoceros, Hippopotamus and Elephant collected
from the gem pits of Ratnapura District. Other exhibits include jewelry,
textiles, flags, gems and semi-precious stones. Some of the artifacts displayed
here, reflect the unique art & culture of the Sabaragamuwa Province.
The museum is open daily from 09.00 hrs to 17.00 hrs except on Fridays.
