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Views of the exterior of the National Museum in Colombo, Sri Lanka 02-by Levi Clancy-

Top 10 Facts about Colombo National Museum

The Colombo National Museum sometimes referred to as the Sri Lanka National Museum, is the biggest museum in Sri Lanka. It was established in 1877 and is managed by the Department of National Museums.

It houses collections that are very valuable to Sri Lanka, including the regalia of the Kandyan monarchs and a variety of other artifacts relevant to the nation’s cultural and natural heritage.

The Colombo National Museum, which is spread out across two stories, is well-organized, with each room on the lower floor devoted to a certain era and each on the top floor to a particular theme.

It provides a thorough picture of Sri Lanka’s history, ranging from stone and bone implements in the prehistoric and protohistoric area through Sinhalese artifacts from the Anuradhapura, Polonnaruva, and Kandy periods.

Visitors can view everything from artwork from the nineteenth century to a collection of weapons on the upper floor. Here are some facts about Colombo National Museum.

1. The museum was established on 1 January 1877

PSM V71 D493 Colombo city museum 1896-by Bashford Dean article-

Governor of Ceylon for the British Empire, Sir William Henry Gregory, founded it.

Upon Gregory’s appointment as governor in 1872, the Royal Asiatic Society played a key role in bringing Gregory’s attention to the necessity for a public museum.

After some difficulty, the legislative council’s consent was attained within a year.

Plans for a new building in the Italian architectural style were able to be prepared by the Public Works Department’s government architect, James George Smither.

In 1876, the building was finished, and the following year, the museum was inaugurated.

2. It is the largest museum in Sri Lanka

There are currently 10,000 exhibits in the National Museum of Colombo, ranging from historical and religious relics to royal vestiges and regional antiquities.

In its two-story edifice, more than a thousand antiquities, paintings, statues, and royal relics, including a throne and a crown, are on display.

The upper galleries are organized thematically, while the ground floor galleries are organized chronologically.

3. Arasi Marikar Wapchie Marikar was in charge of building the museum

Arasi Marikar Wapchie Marikar, the paternal grandfather of Sir Razik Fareed, built the museum between 1829 and 1925.

He was a descendant of the Sheiq Fareed family, who came to Ceylon in 1060.

A number of structures that are still standing today were constructed by Wapchi Marikar, including the General Post Office, and Colombo Customs building.

Also, Town Hall in Pettah, Galle Face Hotel, Victoria Arcade, Finlay Moir building, Colombo Fort clock tower, Battenburg Battery, and many others (2011).

4. Colombo National Museum is Sri Lanka’s most famous museum

Colombo National Museum-by David Stanley-

 The most well-known museum in Sri Lanka is the Colombo National Museum, which displays an enormous number of historically significant and intriguing artifacts.

While also providing information about the island’s colorful past and rich cultural heritage. It is the country’s oldest, biggest, and most popular museum which is housed in a stately colonial structure.

5. It is a major tourist attraction center

Sculpture of Buddha at Colombo National Museum-by Sir Nicholas de Mimsy-Porpington-

The National Museum of Colombo is in possession of 10,000 exhibits now that range from historical and religious objects to royal remnants and local artifacts.

A 4th or 5th-century Buddhist statue carved of stone will greet you as soon as you approach this magnificent Italianate museum, which has been beautifully landscaped with grass and environs.

While the first floor is devoted to antiquities and other amusements, the ground floor displays a variety of historical items.

Among its wealth are items like a royal throne and crown. The only natural history museum in the nation is also situated nearby, much closer to this national museum.

6. The museum was given the status of a national museum during the period of P. E. P. Deraniyagala

National Museum of Colombo-by Photo taken by me-

During the administration of P. E. P. Deraniyagala, the museum received the designation of a national museum.

He created satellite museums in Jaffna, Kandy, and Ratnapura. In 1942, Act No. 31 established the National Museum as a full-fledged department.

In the end, nine branch museums were opened, and there is also an active school science program and mobile museum service.

7. It houses the Colombo National Museum Library

On January 1st, 1877, a library was also started. The Colombo National Museum library incorporated the government Oriental library (1870).

Which served as the foundation of the library collection by compiling local publications from the previous 129 years.

The library has been operating as an unofficial national library in Sri Lanka and became the island’s first legal deposit library.

From the beginning, particular focus was placed on developing a collection relating to Sri Lanka, orientation, and natural science.

8. It was not open on Fridays in the past

Governor Gregory officially opened the Colombo Museum’s finished structure in January 1877 in the presence of a large crowd, amongst which there were many Muslims.

The governor questioned Wapchi Marikar about the honor he wanted for his dedication after the ceremony.

Although the museum was open on all days excluding public holidays, Marikar initially asked for the museum to be closed on Fridays, the Muslim sabbath. Her request was approved and maintained.

9. How to reach Colombo National Museum

Less than 3 kilometers separate the Colombo National Museum from the city’s center, making it simple to travel there by taxi or bus.

If you’re using the bus, you should get off at the museum stop location. The museum is open daily from 9 am to 6 pm, except on federal holidays.

The distance to the local natural history museum is ten minutes by foot.

10. Colombo National Museum gives a good overview of Sri Lanka’s history

It houses a number of exhibits linked to Sri Lanka’s cultural and natural history, as well as artifacts that are very important to the country, such as the regalia of the Kandyan monarchs.

The museum boasts antique artwork in addition to having over 4,000 palm-leaf manuscripts.

A replica of the Statue of Tara, a three-quarter life-size statue of Tara currently housed in the British Museum, is on display in the museum.

The British government restored the royal throne and crown jewels of the last King of Kandy to Sri Lanka, and they were added to the museum’s collection.

Colombo National Museum is a large extensive historical museum housed in beautiful colonial buildings that have quite extensive collections in it.