National Museum of Colombo, National history museum in Colombo, Sri Lanka
The National Museum of Colombo is a two-storey white building in the Italian architectural style, designed by government architect James George Smither and completed in 1876. Its central entrance block carries a triangular pediment inscribed MUSEUM, with a three-arch portico below and rows of arched windows along both floors.
The museum was founded in 1877 under British Governor William Henry Gregory with an initial collection of about 800 objects from Sri Lankan history. Over time, the collection grew significantly and continues to expand with new acquisitions today.
The museum keeps the throne and crown jewels of the last King of Kandy, returned to Sri Lanka by the British government. Its copy of the Statue of Tara, three-quarters life size, stands in for the original in the British Museum. The library, begun in 1877, has held a legal deposit copy of every document printed in the country since 1885.
The museum is located near the city center and is easily accessible by public transport, making it convenient for most visitors. Plan to spend about two to three hours exploring the exhibits, depending on your interest level and walking pace.
The museum library began on 1 January 1877, absorbing the Government Oriental Library founded in 1870. Since 1885 a copy of every document printed in the country must by law be lodged with it, making it Sri Lanka's first legal deposit library and an unofficial national library.
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