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…….
Pic by A. Davey Pic by Shanker.S Pic by Ashley Van Haeften
National Museums
- Colombo National Museum
- Kandy National Museum
- National Buddhist Museum
- Rathnapura National Museum
- Galle National Museum
- National Museum of Natural History Museum
Historical Museums
Cultural and Heritage Museums
- Dalada Maligawa Museum
- Koggala Folk Museum (Martin Wickramasinghe Museum)
- Amblangoda Mask Museum
- Walisinghe Harischandra Museum
- Jayawardena Cultural Center Museum
- Magampura Ruhuna Heritage Museum
- Weera Puran Appu Museum
- Folk Museum Anuradhapura
- S.W.R.D. Bandaranaike and Sirimavo Bandaranaike Memorial Museum
- Blessed Joseph Vaz Museum, Basilica Church
- Ancient Technology Museum
Maritime Museums
- Galle Maritime Archeological Museum
- Colombo Port Maritime Museum
- Maritime and Naval History Museum, Trincomalee
Archeological Museums
- Anuradhapura Museum
- Buduruwagala Museum
- Dambadeniya Museum
- Dedigama Museum
- Dighavapi Museum
- Isurumuniya Museum
- Jaffna Museum
- Kandy Museum
- Kasagala 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
- Hoods Tower Museum
- Puthukkudiyiruppu War Museum
- Orr’s Hill Army Museum
- Maritime and Naval History Museum, Trincomalee
- Underwater Museum, Galle
Art Museums
Transport Museums
Currency and Economic Museums
Special/ Uncategorised Museums
- National Park Museums
- Guruge Nature Park and Museum
- Vintage Car Museum
- Ceylon Tea Museum
- Community Tsunami Education Center & Museum
- National Telecommunication Museum
- Cricket Museum
- Computer Museum, University of Colombo
Pic by David Stanley Pic by Nigel Swales Pic by David Stanley
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
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
Pic by David Stanley Pic by David Stanley Pic by Indi Samarajiva
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 13th, 14th 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 13th, 14th
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
Opening Dates –
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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
Opening Dates –
Opening Hours –
Contact Detail – www.museum.gov.lk – 0094 472 222 366
Weera Puran Appu Museum
Specialty – Preserved personnel belongings of a National Hero
Location – Moratuwa
Opening Dates –
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Contact Detail – 0094 772 909 798
Folk Museum Anuradhapura
Specialty – Traditional objects and tools
Location – Anuradhapura
Opening Dates –
Opening Hours –
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
Opening Dates –
Opening Hours –
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 –
Opening Hours –
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
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
Pic by Amila Tennakoon Pic by Jean-Pierre Dalbéra Pic by F B
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
Specialty –
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Puthukkudiyiruppu War Museum
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Orr’s Hill Army Museum
Specialty –
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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
Opening Dates –
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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
Opening Dates –
Opening Hours –
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
Opening Dates –
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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
Opening Dates –
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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 Road, 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
Opening Dates –
Opening Hours –
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
The Blue Team