Kotte Museum, Archaeology museum in Kotte, Sri Lanka
The Kotte Museum is a regional museum in Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte housed in an early 20th-century mansion that holds protected monument status. The building contains five rooms displaying a diverse collection of artifacts including ancient coins, statues, pottery, weapons, period clothing, tableware, and jewelry, many of which came from excavations throughout the region.
The mansion was built in the early 20th century as the residence of Edward Walter Perera, a lawyer and politician who fought for the country's independence. After his death, Perera donated the house to the government, which opened it as a memorial museum in 1992 and later established it as a regional museum under the Archaeological Department in 1995.
The museum occupies a house that once belonged to Edward Walter Perera, a significant figure in the country's independence movement. The collection includes historical flags and symbols reflecting local heritage, along with personal items from Perera that document his life and role in society.
The museum is open daily from early morning until evening, remaining accessible on public holidays and Poya days, with free admission for all visitors. Photography is not permitted inside, so visitors should view the exhibits quietly and attentively.
The building sits on a cliff above the road and is easily overlooked, marked only by a small black sign from the archaeological department. The site was once home to a temple dedicated to the god Kataragama, as mentioned in ancient poems, revealing a deep connection to the region's spiritual past.
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