Colombo National Museum, Colombo was established on 1st January, 1877 during the term of office of the British Colonial Governor Sir William Henry Gregory. The first public Museum of its kind in Sri Lanka, the national Museum was set up by the Sri Lankan branch of the Royal Asiatic Society with the help of Governor Sir Gregory. It is renowned for preserving exquisite collection of antiques and objects suggesting the rich culture of the country. When it was discovered that it had almost become difficult to accommodate the numerous exhibits pertaining to the natural heritage of the country, the exquisite natural history collection was separated and preserved in another building which came to be known as the National Museum of Natural History.
Features of Colombo National Museum, Colombo:
01. The museum is placed in a majestic two storied building built in the Italian style. It boasts of being one of the major heritage sites of the city of Colombo.
02. The museum is the largest museum of Sri Lanka and preserves national treasures and artifacts of the country.
03. A section of the first floor of the national Museum houses a library with a collection of 500,000 books - including very valuable, rare ones. The range of artifacts include Buddhist and Hindu bronzes, stone statues, paintings, frescoes, ceramics, antique furniture, masks, and royal objects from the Kings of Kandy.
04. Another section of the first floor houses the Puppetry and the Children's Museum.
05. Rock inscriptions highlight the development of the Sinhala language script from the Brahmi script.
06. A wide array of folk arts and crafts exhibit the daily life of the Sri Lankans.
07. The Museum also acts as a research establishment making contributions in the fields of Pre-history, Ethnology, Anthropology, Culture, and Ancient Crafts.
08. The major attractions of the museum are workshops, seminars, audio-visual programmes, guided tours, and lectures catering to all age groups.
09. The centerpiece of the museum is to enhance its collection for purposes of collection, conservation, research and exhibition - of artifacts, specimens, books, and manuscripts, along with other documents on natural and cultural heritage, science, and technology for enriching the people.
10. The Museum is also a popular venue for lectures, film shows, and seminars showcasing the culture, history and national heritage of Sri Lanka for the diffusion of knowledge.
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