Colombo National Museum of Sri Lanka and Ceylon
The National Museum, Colombo, is maintained by the Sri Lanka Government Department
of National Museums.
The Colombo National Museum, Sir Marcus Fernando Mawatha, Colombo
7, opposite the junction of Cambridge Place is the oldest museum in Sri Lanka.
Built in 1876 the museum was established in 1877. The museum
is undergoing some restoration (2008) and a number of galleries are closed.
The National Museum is closed on Fridays
- No indoor photography
permitted
 For the visitor to Sri Lanka unable to visit the ancient cities,
a visit to the National Museum will give a potted history of the country, people
and culture. With the recently refurbished Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa Galleries
helping to understand the history of Ceylon.
The rest of the museum houses interesting collections of objects
and antiques, including frescos, jewellery, ceramics, bronzes, manuscripts and
much more of national historical importance.
The regalia and throne of the King of Kandy were the highlight
for us. These artefacts were returned to Sri Lanka by the British Government
in the mid 20th century, having been removed to Britain during the early colonial
period of the 19th century.
 In front of the museum is a statue of Sir
William Henry Gregory(July 12, 1817–March 6, 1892), an Anglo-Irish writer and politician. In
1872 Sir Wm Gregory was appointed Governor-General of Ceylon. He hosted the Prince
of Wales in 1875, at which time he was presented with the Order of St. Michael
and St. George. Gregory retired from office in 1877.
Behind the Colombo National Museum is the Natural
History Museum of Sri Lanka
*Please note that the Government of Sri Lanka discriminates
against foreign nationals in their pricing of entrance ticketing. Charging many
times the ticket price paid by Sri Lankan residents. In 2008 an entrance ticket
to the National museum for a Sri Lankan was SLR 20.00 whereas foreigners were
charged SLR 500.00 !
We apologise for the repetition of some place or proper names with different
spellings, but there is no definitive spelling translation of these words.
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Please see our contributing writer's guidelines.
JeGraNet.com statement - 15 October 2008 - Quote from the British Foreign
and Commonwealth Office website: "There is a high threat from terrorism in Sri
Lanka. Fatal attacks have become more frequent. They have occurred in Colombo
and throughout Sri Lanka, including places frequented by expatriate and foreign
travellers. Further attacks may occur at any time. There is an increasing risk
of British nationals being caught up in an attack". As independent travellers
we left Colombo after just 9 days into our planned 6 month stay as a result of
a feeling of insecurity, however we are sure that 'package tour' travellers to
tourist resorts will probably enjoy a worry free holiday. |
