Sri Lanka Museums
The history, culture and tradition of Sri Lanka dates back to early history of Sri Lanka which prevailed from 500BC to 250 BC. It is obvious that a country with such old heritage is supposed to have resourceful museums where the cultural heritage of the country is preserved and exhibited. Some of the Prominent Museums of Sri Lanka are as follows.
National Museum Colombo: This museum is the largest and the oldest in the country. It was established in 1877. It was a colonial era building that was later transformed into the museum.
This museum is famous for Sinhalese artwork such as carvings and sculptures, collection of ancient royal symbols of office or ceremonial objects and dresses, antique china, antique furniture, and Ola manuscripts. This museum contains ancient and medieval jewelry, ivory and wood carvings, ceramics objects including VOC plates of the Dutch period, lithic inscriptions, more than 4.000 palm leaf manuscripts, rare collection of traditional masks, temple frescoes, and stone sculpture.
This museum is daily open from 9AM to 5 Pm except on Fridays.
National Museum of Natural History, Colombo: The National Museum and the National Museum of Natural History are housed in the same premises. This museum exhibits Mammals, sea-mammals, botanical plants, geological specimens, birds, reptiles, insects, gems of Sri Lanka. The timings are the same as the National Museum.
The Dutch Period Museum, Colombo: The Dutch era in Sri Lanka lasted from 1638 to 1802. The `Dutch House’ on Prince Street, Pettah has now been transformed into The Dutch Period Museum. The `Dutch House’ was the erstwhile residence of Count August Carl Van Ranzow.
The museum exhibits the Dutch Legacy through artifacts such as ceramics, arms, furniture, coins, etc. Daily this museum is open from 9AM to 5 PM except on Fridays.
Bandaranaike Museum, Colombo: Mr. S. W. R. D. Bandaranaike was one of the most prominent Prime Ministers of Sri Lanka. His tenure as the prime minister was from 1956 to 1959. He was assassinated in 1959. He had a very big impact on the politics of Sri Lanka and this museum is dedicated to him. It contains documents, objects and photographs with reference to him.
The National Maritime Museum, Galle: An old Dutch building in the fort of Galle has been transformed into The National Maritime Museum. This museum exhibits objects connected with local botany, marine biology, natural coral beds, deep sea fishes, sea grass beds and some diagrams showing the local methods of fishing. This museum is daily open from 9AM to 5 Pm.
Gems Museum, Ratnapura: This museum has fossils of Elephant, Hippopotamus and Rhinoceros. This museum reveals textiles, jewelry, gems, flags, semi-precious stones as well as some artifacts related to the Sabaragamuwa Province. Except Friday this museum is open throughout the week from 9AM to 5 PM.
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