Museum museum – Blue Blog

Sri Lanka has its recorded history for more than 2500 years to the past. The modern society has evolved through this rich culture, poetry, agriculture, arts and crafts of the ancients. The preservation of these ancient artefacts and knowledge has been given the prominence by the Sri Lankan authorities.

Blue Ceylon is glad to present you the modern list of updated Directory of valuable and exciting Museums in Sri Lanka, where this is the one-stop site for the travellers, students and researchers to surf the contact information of the Sri Lankan Museums.

Let’s check the list…….

National Museums

Colombo National Museum

Specialty – Largest museum in Sri Lanka

Location – Sir Marcus Fernando Mawatha, Colombo 07

Opening Days – Open all 7 days except public and government holidays

Opening Hours – 9.00am to 5.00pm

Contact Details – www.museum.gov.lk – 0094 112 694366

Kandy National Museum

Specialty – Collection of various valuable historical items from the Kandyan era

Location – Kandy

Opening Days – Closed on Sundays and Monday, Public and government holidays

Opening Hours – 9.00am to 5.00pm

Contact Details – www.museum.gov.lk – 0094 81 2223867

National Buddhist Museum

Specialty – History of world Buddhism

Location – Hemamali Mawatha, Kandy

Opening Days – Open on all days

Opening Hours – 8.00am to 7.00pm

Contact Details – Face book P age – 0094 812 236 202

Rathnapura National Museum

Specialty – prehistoric archaeological inventions, natural heritage, geological, anthropological, zoological artifacts and models related to the Sabaragamuva Province

Location – Rathnapura

Opening Days – Closed on Sundays and Monday, Public and government holidays

Opening Hours – 9.00am to 5.00pm (Closed until further notice for renovations – Updated on – 23/Feb/2020)

Contact Details – www.museum.gov.lk – 0094 452 222 451

Galle National Museum

Specialty – Object archaeological and anthropological objects inherited in Southern region, Dutch arms and weapons

Location – Church Street, Galle fort, Galle

Opening Days – Closed on Sundays and Monday, Public and government holidays

Opening Hours – 9.00am to 4.00pm

Contact Details – www.museum.gov.lk – 0094 912 232 051

National History of Natural History

Specialty – Specimens of flora and fauna in Sri Lanka/ Geological specimens

Location – Colombo National museum premises

Opening Days – Open all 7 days except public and government holidays

Opening Hours – 9.00am to 5.00pm

Contact Details – www.museum.gov.lk – 0094 112 694366

Historical Museums

Dutch Period Museum

Specialty – Artifacts of Dutch who ruled the coastal areas of Sri Lanka

Location – Prince Street, Colombo

Opening Days – Open all 7 days except public and government holidays (Closed until further notice for renovations – Updated on – 23/Jan/2020)

Opening Hours – 9.00am to 500.pm

Contact Details – www.museum.gov.lk – 0094 112 448 466

Historical Mansion

Specialty – Rare antiques from all the colonial eras in Sri Lanka. Jewelry, furniture, pottery and Arts

Location – 31, 39 Leyn Baan St, Galle Fort, Galle.

Opening Days – Open all 7 days except public and government holidays and on Fridays from 12.00pm to 2.00pm

Opening Hours – 9.00am to 6.00pm

Contact Details – 0094 77 792 1555

Independence Memorial Museum

Specialty – Documents, Bio sketches of national heroes and many related items to the Independence in Sri Lanka

Location – 7 Independence Ave, Colombo

Opening Days – Closed on Sundays and Monday, Public and government holidays

Opening Hours – 9.00am to 5.00pm

Contact Details – www.museum.gov.lk – 0094 112 691 825

National Postal Museum

Specialty – Exhibits and artefacts of the Sri Lankan Postal history

Location – W A D Ramanayake Mawatha, Colombo 1

Opening Days – Closed on Saturdays and Sundays, Public and government holidays

Opening Hours – 9.00am to 4.00pm

Contact Details – Face Book Page – 0094 112 328 301

Cultural and Heritage Museums

Dalada Maligawa Museum (Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic)

Specialty – Arts, Jewellery, and crafts represent the Kandyan heritage

Location – Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic premises, Kandy

Opening days – 365 days excluding April 13^th, 14^th and 15th

Opening hours – 7.00am to 7.00pm (No entry after 6.30pm)

Contact Details – www.sridaladamaligawa.lk – 0094 812 234 226

Koggala Folk Museum (Martin Wickramasinghe Museum)

Specialty – Artifacts of the local culture and local literature

Location – Koggala

Opening Days – 365 days excluding April 13^th, 14^th

Opening Hours – 9.00am to 5.00pm

Contact Details – www.martinwickramasinghe.info – 0094 912 283 427

Amblangoda Mask Museum (Ariyapala Mask Museum)

Specialty – Traditional Masks of Sri Lanka, Artifacts and a Library

Location – Ambalangoda

Opening Days – 365 days open

Opening Hours – 9.00am to 5.00pm

Contact Details – Face Book Page – 0094 912 258 373

Walisinghe Harischandra Museum

Specialty – Furniture, Diaries and Books of a social reformer, historian and author

Location- Negambo

Opening Days – Closed on all public and mercantile holidays and all Saturdays, Sundays and Mondays are closed.

Opening Hours – 9.00am to 5.00pm

Contact – Face Book Page – 0094 312 233 644

Jayawardena Cultural Center Museum

Specialty – Personnel collection of former president J.R Jayawrdena

Location – Srimath Anagarika Dharmapala Mawatha, Colombo 7

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Contact Detail – 0112 695 084 – www.jrjc.lk

Magampura Ruhuna Heritage Museum

Specialty – Natural and Cultural heritage of the Southern parts in Sri Lanka

Location – Hambantota

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Contact Detail – www.museum.gov.lk – 0094 472 222 366

Weera Puran Appu Museum

Specialty – Preserved personnel belongings of a National Hero

Location – Moratuwa

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Contact Detail – 0094 772 909 798

Folk Museum Anuradhapura

Specialty – Traditional objects and tools

Location – Anuradhapura

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Contact Detail – www.museum.gov.lk – 0094 252 234 624

S.W.R.D. Bandaranaike and Sirimavo Bandaranaike Memorial Museum

Specialty – Valuable items, documents, audio and video of the Bandaranayake family

Location – Bauddhaloka Mawatha, Colombo 7

Opening Dates – Closed on Mondays and all public holidays

Opening Hours – 9.00am to 4.00pm

Contact Detail – www.swrdbandaranaike.lk – 0094 112 691 131

Blessed Joseph Vaz Museum, Basilica Church

Specialty – Artefacts reflects the history of the Basilica Church Ragama

Location – Tewatta Road, Ragama

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Contact Detail – www.nationalbasilica.com – 0094 112 958 211

Ancient Technology Museum

Specialty – Ancient technological tools, artefacts and features represents the early cultures and socities

Location – Ancient Technological Museum, Polonnaruwa

Opening Dates – Open all days except Government Public Holidays

Opening Hours – From 9.00am to 5.00pm

Contact Detail – www.ceylonteamuseum.com – 0094 272 057 336,

Maritime Museums

Galle Maritime Archeological Museum

Specialty – Biological and Anthropological items and models of Southern coastal area

Location – Queens Street, Galle Fort, Galle

Opening Dates – Open all days except Government Public Holidays

Opening Hours – From 8.00am to 5.00pm

Contact Detail – www.museum.gov.lk – 0094 912 245 254

Colombo Port Maritime Museum

Specialty – A former dutch prison converted in to a museum to hold artefacts and sculptures represent historical port in the country

Location – Chaithya Rd, Colombo 1

Opening Dates – Open all days except Government Public Holidays

Opening Hours – From 8.00am to 5.00pm

Contact Detail – 0094 112 421 201

Maritime and Naval History Museum, Trincomalee

Specialty – Maritime History and local naval history of Sri Lanka

Location – Lavender Ln, Trincomalee

Opening Dates –

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Contact Detail – Face Book Page – 0094 262 222 763

Archeological Museums

Concat –

Department of Archaeology
Sir Marcus Fernando Mawatha,
Colombo – 07,
Sri Lanka.

Phone : +94 11 2692840, +94 11 2692841
Fax : +94 11 2696250
Email : info@archaeology.gov.lk

Anuradhapura Museum

Buduruwagala Museum

Dambadeniya Museum

Dedigama Museum

Dighavapi Museum

Isurumuniya Museum

Jaffna Museum

Kandy Museum

Kasagala Museum

Kotte Museum

Maligawila Museum

Matara Star Fort Museum

Mihintale Museum

Mulkirigala Museum

Nalanda Museum

Panduwasnuwara Museum

Pidurangala Museum

Puttalam Museum

Rajanganaya Museum

Seruwila Museum

Tantirimale Museum

Vavuniya Museum

Vheragala Museum

Welgam Vehera Musem

Yapahuwa Museum

Yatala Museum

Defence Forces Museums

Sri Lanka Air Force Museum

Specialty – Artefacts related to the Air Force of Sri Lanka

Location – Colombo International Airport Ratmalana (CIAR)

Opening Dates – Closed on Mondays and , Public and government holidays

Opening Hours – From 8.30am to 4.30pm

Contact Detail – www.airforcemuseum.lk – 0094 772 444 445

Hoods Tower Museum

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Puthukkudiyiruppu War Museum

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Orr’s Hill Army Museum

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Maritime and Naval History Museum, Trincomalee

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Underwater Museum, Galle

Specialty – A museum run by Navy, can explore underwater sculptures, corals and rich marine life.

Location – Galle

Opening Dates – Open on all 365 days

Opening Hours – N/A

Contact Detail – 0912 267 134

Art Museums

Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art

Specialty – Exhibits the history of arts which is relevant and unique to Sri Lanka

Location – Lauries Rd, Colombo 4

Opening Dates – Closed on Monday and Tuesday

Opening Hours – Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday, Sunday from 11.00am to 5.00pm
Friday from 11.00am to 8.00pm

Contact Detail – mmca-srilanka.org – info@mmca-srilanka.org

Wax Museum, Polonnaruwa

Specialty – Wax sculptures of famous leaders after post independent in Sri Lanka

Location – Ancient Technological Museum, Polonnaruwa

Opening Dates – Open all days except Government Public Holidays

Opening Hours – From 9.00am to 5.00pm

Contact Detail – www.ceylonteamuseum.com – 0094 272 057 336,

Pottery Museum, Kaduwela

Specialty – Pottery in Sri Lanla

Location – New Kandy Road, Biyagama

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Transport Museums

National Railway Museum, Kadugannawa

Specialty – Many old locomotives, carriages, Machineries, and Equipments related to Railway History in Sri Lanka

Location – Kadugannawa

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Contact Detail – www.railway.gov.lk –

National Highway Museum

Specialty – Former construction equipment such as stone road rollers, steam road rollers, oil road rollers, tar boilers, coal scales, road signs

Location – Kiribathkumbura

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Contact Detail – Face Book page –

National Railway Museum, Colombo

Specialty – Former construction equipment such as stone road rollers, steam road rollers, oil road rollers, tar boilers, coal scales, road signs

Location – Olcott Mawatha, Colombo 1

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Contact Detail – – 0094 112 421 281

Currency and Economic Museums

Money and Banking Museum

Specialty – Currency and coins in Sri Lanka (Current and Historic) Open air balcony with 360 degrees view in Colombo

Location – BOC Square, Colombo

Opening Dates – Special prior approval has to be taken before visits (Maximum 50 pax a tour)

Opening Hours – Special prior approval has to be taken before visits (Maximum 50 pax a tour)

Contact Detail – web.boc.lk – 0094 112 205 350

Economic History Museum

Specialty – Sri Lanka’s rich and diverse economic journey, Coins from kingdom eras

Location – Chatham Street, Colombo

Opening Dates – Open from Monday to Friday except Public and Bank holidays)

Opening Hours – 9.00am to 4.15pm

Contact Detail – cbsl.gov.lk – 0094 114 387 405

Special/ Uncategorised Museums

National Park Museums

Specialty – These small museums exhibits the flora and fauna related to the National Park and the region.

Location – Most of the National Parks have their own museums

Opening Dates – Open on all 365 days

Opening Hours – 6.00am to 6.00pm

Contact Detail – www.dwc.gov.lk – 0094 112 888 585

Guruge Nature Park Museum

Specialty – Consists a Sri Lankan Traditional village model, Sculptures represent the history of Sri Lanka and many more religious and historical sculptures apart from the amusement rides

Location – Kandana – Ganemulla Road, Ja-Ela

Opening Dates – Open everyday

Opening Hours – 9.00am to 6.00pm

Contact Detail – gurugepark.com – 0094 112 247 697

Vintage Car Museum

Specialty – Amazing unique car collection of vintage automobiles

Location – Kithulgala

Opening Dates – Prior arrangements has to be done

Opening Hours – Prior arrangements has to be done

Contact Detail – www.trioresorts.com – 0094 778 084 820

Ceylon Tea Museum

Specialty – Very old tools and Machines which used to make Tea in the colonial era.

Location – Hantana, Kandy

Opening Dates – Closed on Mondays & Poya day falling weekdays

Opening Hours – Tuesday to Saturday from 8.30am to 13.45pm and Sunday from 8.30am to 13.00pm

Contact Detail – www.ceylonteamuseum.com – 0094 814 946 737

Community Tsunami Education Center & Museum

Specialty – Memories of the 2004 Tsunami which was effected Asia and the an effort to educate the community

Location – Galle Ro a d, Hikkaduwa

Opening Dates – All 365 days

Opening Hours – From 8.00am to 8.00pm

Contact Detail – Face Book Page – 0094 777 316 664

National Telecommunication Museum

Specialty – Collection of communications items and about the Sri Lanka’s telecommunications industry

Location – Meepe, Padukka

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Contact Details – www.slt.lk – 0094 112 859 666

Cricket Museum

Specialty – Trophies and all the items reflects proud Sri Lankan cricket history

Location – 35 Maitland Pl, Colombo 7

Opening Dates – Open only Monday to Saturday except public and government holidays

Opening Hours – From 10.00am to 4.00pm

Contact Details – Face Book Page – 0094 112 681 601 – 4

Computer Museum, University of Colombo

Specialty – Commemoration of 100 years of the establishment of the faculties of science and arts of the UoC

Location – UCSC Building Complex, 35 ,Reid Avenue, Colombo 7

Opening Dates – Special Vitual Tour

Opening Hours – From 10.00am to 4.00pm

Contact Details – emuseum.ucsc.cmb.ac.lk – 0094 112 581 245 – 7

Let’s Explore Sri Lanka!!!

The Blue Team