Colombo National Museum
The Home of a Nation’s History
In the heart of Colombo, a mere stone’s throw away from the beautifully manicured lawns of Viharamahadevi Park, lies the Colombo National Museum. Home to over 100,000 exhibits within its Italian-styled walls, this iconic institution is currently the largest museum that can be found in Sri Lanka.
What to Expect at the Museum
It was founded in the late 1800s by Sir William Henry Gregory (who was the British Governor of Ceylon at the time), and hosts a diverse collection of art ranging from intricate carvings to antique masks, as well as featuring ancient statues and impressive paintings that portray the island’s rich history. The museum also contains a trove of significant treasures such as swords, guns and other weaponry from the Sri Lanka’s colonial past, as well as valuable collections that hark back to the time of the country’s ancient Kandyan kings.
The Colombo National Museum is a great stop for anyone interested in learning about the country’s history, but this is especially true for any visitors that intend on traveling to Kandy, or to any of Sri Lanka’s other important ancient cities. One of its most prominent exhibitions showcases the throne of Sri Vikrama Rajasinha, the last king to rule over Sri Lanka from a monarchy that lasted for over 2300 years.
The museum is currently managed by the Department of National Museum, a ministerial department created by the Sri Lankan government specifically for its maintenance.
