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.
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