As a lover of history and culture, I have always wanted to visit the National Museum of Colombo, the largest and oldest museum in Sri Lanka. Founded in 1877 by Sir William Henry Gregory, the British Governor of Ceylon at the time, the museum holds collections of significant importance to Sri Lanka, such as the regalia of the Kandyan monarchs, as well as many other exhibits relating to the country’s cultural and natural heritage.
Last week, I finally got the chance to fulfill my wish and spent a whole day exploring the museum. It was an unforgettable experience that enriched my knowledge and appreciation of Sri Lanka’s rich and diverse history and culture. Here are some of the highlights of my visit:
The Museum Building and Grounds
The first thing that caught my eye was the museum building itself, which is a beautiful example of Italian architectural style. The building was designed by J.G. Smither, the architect of the Public Works Department, and constructed by Arasi Marikar Wapchie Marikar, a prominent Muslim builder who also built many other landmarks in Colombo⁴. The building has a majestic facade with a large portico and columns and is surrounded by a spacious garden with statues, fountains, and trees.
The museum grounds also house the National Museum Library, which has a collection of over half a million books, manuscripts, and periodicals on various subjects related to Sri Lanka and Asia. The library is open to the public and researchers who wish to access its valuable resources.
The Ground Floor Galleries
The ground floor galleries of the museum display the historical sequence of Sri Lanka from prehistoric times to the colonial era. The first gallery showcases the prehistoric period, with exhibits such as stone tools, pottery, beads, and bones of early humans who inhabited the island. The second gallery covers the protohistoric period, with exhibits such as iron weapons, coins, seals, and inscriptions that reveal the emergence of early states and kingdoms.
The third gallery focuses on the Anuradhapura period, which spanned from the 4th century BCE to the 11th century CE. This was the golden age of Sri Lankan civilization when Buddhism was introduced and flourished, along with art, architecture, literature, and trade. The gallery displays some of the most impressive artifacts from this period, such as stone sculptures, bronze statues, ivory carvings, and gold ornaments.
The fourth gallery covers the Polonnaruwa period, which lasted from the 11th to the 13th century CE. This was another prosperous period in Sri Lankan history when the island was ruled by several dynasties that patronized Buddhism and culture. The gallery exhibits some of the finest examples of Polonnaruwa art and architecture, such as stone pillars, terracotta figures, wooden carvings, and paintings.
The fifth gallery focuses on the transitional period, which spanned from the 13th to the 16th century CE. This was a turbulent time in Sri Lankan history when the island faced invasions from South India and internal conflicts among local rulers. The gallery displays some of the artifacts that reflect this period, such as coins, weapons, pottery, and jewelry.
The sixth gallery covers the Kandyan period, which lasted from the 16th to the 19th century CE. This was the last independent kingdom in Sri Lanka, which resisted foreign domination and preserved its unique culture and identity. The gallery displays some of the most remarkable artifacts from this period, such as the throne and crown jewels of the Kandyan monarchs, silverware, lacquerware, textiles, and paintings.
The seventh gallery focuses on the colonial period, which spanned from the 16th to the 20th century CE. This was a time when Sri Lanka was ruled by three European powers: Portugal, Netherlands, and Britain. The gallery displays some of the artifacts that reflect this period, such as maps, documents, weapons, furniture, and porcelain.
The Upper Floor Galleries
The upper floor galleries of the museum display various themes related to Sri Lanka’s natural and cultural diversity. The first gallery showcases the natural history of Sri Lanka, with exhibits such as fossils, minerals, rocks, shells, corals, insects, birds, mammals, and reptiles². The second gallery covers the cultural history of Sri Lanka, with exhibits such as masks, puppets, musical instruments, costumes, jewelry, and handicrafts.
The third gallery focuses on the religious history of Sri Lanka, with exhibits such as Buddhist statues, paintings, relics, and ritual objects, as well as Hindu, Islamic, and Christian artifacts. The fourth gallery highlights the modern history of Sri Lanka, with exhibits such as photographs, newspapers, stamps, coins, and medals that depict the political, social, and economic developments of the country in the 20th and 21st centuries.
My Conclusion
My visit to the National Museum of Colombo was a rewarding and enlightening experience that gave me a deeper understanding and appreciation of Sri Lanka’s rich and diverse history and culture. I was amazed by the variety and quality of the exhibits, which spanned thousands of years and hundreds of topics. I learned a lot of new facts and stories that I had never heard before.
I also enjoyed the beauty and elegance of the museum building and grounds, which added to the charm and atmosphere of the museum. I would highly recommend anyone who is interested in Sri Lanka’s heritage to visit the National Museum of Colombo. It is a treasure trove of knowledge and inspiration that will leave you in awe and admiration.