Interesting facts

1. The National Museum of Colombo is the largest museum in Sri Lanka. 2. It was established on January 1, 1877, by Sir William Henry Gregory, the British Governor of Ceylon. 3. The building was designed by J.G. Smither, the architect of the Public Works Department. 4. The architectural style of the main museum building is Italianate. 5. The museum houses the majestic throne and crown jewels of the Kandyan monarchs. 6. A 9th-century stone Buddha statue greets visitors in the main lobby. 7. The museum library was established in 1870 and became the legal deposit for the island in 1885. 8. The library contains over 4,000 rare palm-leaf manuscripts (ola leaves). 9. During World War II, the most valuable artifacts were evacuated to the central highlands to protect them from potential bombing. 10. The Natural History Museum is located on the same grounds and showcases Sri Lanka's endemic flora and fauna. 11. You can find exhibits of traditional demon masks used in Sri Lankan "tovil" (healing and exorcism) rituals. 12. The complex includes the Colombo Observatory, historically used for mapping and timekeeping. 13. The museum features an extensive collection of ancient royal banners from different provinces of Sri Lanka. 14. Beautifully carved ivory objects from the Kandyan era are a major highlight. 15. The National Art Gallery is located just a short walk away from the National Museum. 16. The grounds of the museum are famously shaded by massive, sprawling Banyan trees. 17. The museum collection includes the jacket of King Sri Vikrama Rajasinha, the last king of Sri Lanka. 18. Ancient agricultural tools and irrigation technology are displayed, showcasing the island's advanced historical engineering. 19. The museum district was originally covered by a massive cinnamon plantation during the Dutch period. 20. Viharamahadevi Park, adjacent to the museum, was originally named Victoria Park but was renamed after the mother of the hero-king Dutugamunu.