Colombo National Museum: Address, Phone Number, Colombo National Museum Reviews: 4/5
Colombo National Museum
Colombo National Museum
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This museum of Asian civilizations is one of the oldest in Sri Lanka.
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.0
1,326 reviews
Excellent
323
Very good
552
Average
330
Poor
91
Terrible
30
George L
Kelowna, Canada66 contributions
Jan 2020
This is a great museum of the history of the country, with a great collection of artifacts and replicas. The preserved skeletons and the art were my favourite parts. Some of the dioramas need to be touched up but overall a great collection well worth the visit. Compared with some of the museums we have visited, 1000 rupees for admission is cheap, considering that to do this museum justice you will need to spend the whole day here.
Written January 30, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Directeur0
Wenzhou, China305 contributions
Dec 2019 • Solo
A traditional style of national museum starting with man’s early history up to recent time. It was started by a British colonial. Some interesting exhibits, one which I enjoyed was seeing the colonial period clothing of the Burghers. Worth a visit, but it was a hot day, and there aren’t A/C or good fans. The museum store has many handcrafted items with good prices.
Written January 12, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
2torontotraveller
Toronto, Canada1,953 contributions
Jan 2020
We visited this museum as part of a shore excursion from our cruise ship that was docked in Colombo.
This is a large extensive historical museum housed in beautiful colonial buildings that has quite extensive collections in it. Most of displays did have English explanations. It also has a film at the entrance of the museum that covers some of the history of Sri Lanka. This room has air conditioning and seating.
Since this is a colonial building it does not have air conditioning but I found the temperature was comfortable due to cross breezes. There are no toilets in the museum building itself. However, there are western toilets in the gift shop building and in annex to the main toilet building located outside of the main museum buildings.
The gift shop is quite extensive with lots of various types of souvenirs in it. I would recommend that you spend 2 to 3 hours to fully enjoy this museum.
This is a large extensive historical museum housed in beautiful colonial buildings that has quite extensive collections in it. Most of displays did have English explanations. It also has a film at the entrance of the museum that covers some of the history of Sri Lanka. This room has air conditioning and seating.
Since this is a colonial building it does not have air conditioning but I found the temperature was comfortable due to cross breezes. There are no toilets in the museum building itself. However, there are western toilets in the gift shop building and in annex to the main toilet building located outside of the main museum buildings.
The gift shop is quite extensive with lots of various types of souvenirs in it. I would recommend that you spend 2 to 3 hours to fully enjoy this museum.
Written February 6, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Kate & Bart
25 contributions
Feb 2020 • Couples
I enjoy visiting national museums when I am travelling because I believe this always widens your perspective of wherever you are and takes you beyond just „sightseeing”. Shame that’s just not the case with this museum :-( It’s quite disappointing and (sorry to say) boring in fact, given the rich history of Sri Lanka. The tickets are 1000LKR for an adult and if you come too close to closing time you are allowed entrance only to the ground floor. Fair enough, but why charge full price for that? There is no A/C so if you do choose to go, don’t do it midday... Better yet - skip the place altogether and buy yourself a good book on the history of Sri Lanka.
Written February 3, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Dani C
Boston, MA157 contributions
Feb 2020
We came to the National Museum towards the end of the day, in hopes of finding out a little more about the country and to see some of the artifacts illustrating the history. The space itself is vast and quite old. It is a cavernous series of connected rooms cooled only by standing fans, filled with objects and art kept in old cases with glass panes. We saw lovely original pieces and some reproductions with the originals held by the colonist countries still (very sad). The larger general descriptions were well written and helpful, but the objects themselves were only labeled with no identifying facts, which I found frustrating. There were also a number of displays that were dated (lifesized dioramas of jungle scenes with sound effects, etc...). We walked and walked (quickly to get upstairs before the 4pm closing time for upper floors) and were stuck behind a large tour group part of the time, which was very frustrating as they stood in front of important pieces, not moving to let others in to see. I think this is an important landmark and tourist destination that would benefit with major updates to the displays. There is also a sense that the objects are not benefiting from the spaces they are kept in (wondering how they are damaged by the heat/light/etc...). If you have time and the entrance fee, it is worth a visit.
Written February 10, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
SuVi
Colombo, Sri Lanka47 contributions
Jan 2022
The National Museum has now been revamped and there is much more educational and recreational activities for the kids.
several of the exhibits have been renovated and the area is very clean and neat. exhibits have light and sound action installed. there is a large art gallery area which houses old art and crafts items.
A must visit for the kids!
several of the exhibits have been renovated and the area is very clean and neat. exhibits have light and sound action installed. there is a large art gallery area which houses old art and crafts items.
A must visit for the kids!
Written January 28, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Bhaskar_10
New Delhi, India2,412 contributions
Feb 2020
Visited on 22/February/2020
Entry Fee applicable
This place was one of the visit places in the Colombo tour itinerary and this place gives you a understanding of the history of Colombo, its establishment and so on.
Displays are interesting and of interest for all those who love to know in-depth about the place of visit.
If this makes you interested then do visit.
Entry Fee applicable
This place was one of the visit places in the Colombo tour itinerary and this place gives you a understanding of the history of Colombo, its establishment and so on.
Displays are interesting and of interest for all those who love to know in-depth about the place of visit.
If this makes you interested then do visit.
Written April 27, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Mike255100
Melbourne, Australia226 contributions
Feb 2020
The museum has 15 major displays over two floors of a series of interconnected colonial buildings. We got through the lot but took a break at the cafe next door - you can exit and return at no extra charge. The toilets are located there, too.
We enjoyed the visit - the coins and early trade discussions were particularly interesting. The throne was impressive, too.
It seemed odd that there was not more attention given to the colonial period. Yes, it was mentioned in places but there was not a specific section.
As others have mentioned, it is not air conditioned and the odd tourist group distrupted the otherwise peace and quiet.
It is certainly a grand building from the outside and it is good that it has been retained
We enjoyed the visit - the coins and early trade discussions were particularly interesting. The throne was impressive, too.
It seemed odd that there was not more attention given to the colonial period. Yes, it was mentioned in places but there was not a specific section.
As others have mentioned, it is not air conditioned and the odd tourist group distrupted the otherwise peace and quiet.
It is certainly a grand building from the outside and it is good that it has been retained
Written February 11, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
jenny j
Canberra, Australia26 contributions
Feb 2020
Easy to find your way through the exhibition as there are clear signposts throughout guiding you to each gallery. The exhibits and information provided give a good insight into centuries of Sri Lankan history. We visited after a 2 week trip around Sri Lanka and our visit helped to cement and make sense of what we had seen on our trip. Worth visiting.
Written March 28, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
tdewolf
Chiang Mai, Thailand51 contributions
Jan 2020 • Couples
We were fascinated by the extensive and breathtaking artifacts displayed in the National Museum. A large colonial style building houses the national collection of Sri Lankan history. Cannot say enough about the quality and the layout of the museum. It was beautiful. The whole of Sri Lankan history (and prehistoric history as well) was presented over many floors and large galleries. We were blown away with the artistry and evolution of the island. A great first stop in Colombo and a must see location.
Written February 3, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Are we allowed to take camara or mobile phones??
Haseenathul.Z
9 contributions
Colombo National Museum last visit did not allow camera allows mobile phones conditions change
chaitraliakulkarni
Pune, India
which construction material is used for the museum?
Prasad V
Ratmalana, Sri Lanka57 contributions
Yes, the building was constructed with bricks and masonary. If you wand further details visit, museum.gov.lk
See bellow is a General Description .
The Colombo Museum as it was called at the beginning was
established on 1st January 1877. It founder was Sir William
Henry Gregory, the British Governor of Ceylon (Sri Lanka)
at the time. The Royal Asiatic Society (CB) was instrumental
in bringing to the notice of Gregory on his appointment as
Governor in 1872 the need for a public museum with much
difficulty the approval of the legislative council was obtained
within a year. The Architect of the Public Works Department,
J.G. Smither was able to prepare the plans for new structure
on Italian architectural style. The construction was completed
in 1876 and the Museum commenced it functions in the following year.
how much for entrance
taninthomas
Doha, Qatar307 contributions
The entrance fee in the museum is 600 srilanka rupees for the foreigners. For srilankans it's very cheap I think 100 only. The rate for camera is 250 separate.
girlgamine
bristol4 contributions
Is the Museum open on Sundays?
Commanderlv
Las Vegas, NV42 contributions
Unfortunately YES
girlgamine
bristol4 contributions
Is the Museum open on Sundays?
Rohana D
30 contributions
It is opened on seven days of the week except declared special holidays by the government (eg: Poya Day = Full moon day)
tommaseo
Ajdovscina, Slovenia9 contributions
I would like to know which is the architectural style of the Colombo National Museum building (we were informed it was built in 1877, and the Museum founder was Sir William Herny Gregory)
spotpro
Cape Town Central, South Africa160 contributions
The Colombo museum as it was called at the beginning was established on 1 January 1877. It founder was Sir William Henry Gregory the British Governor of Ceylon (Sri Lanka) at the time. The Royal Asiatic Society (CB) was instrumental in bringing to the notice of Gregory on his appointment as Governor in 1872 the need for a public Museum with much difficulty the approval of the legislative council was obtained within a year. The Architect of the Public Works Department, J. G. Smither was able to prepare the plans for new structure on Italian Architectural style. The construction was completed in 1876 and the Museum commenced it functions in the following year.
The construction of the Museum was carried out by Arasi Marikar Wapchie Marikar (born 1829, died 1925, aka Wapchi Marikar Bass, who was descended from the Sheiq Fareed family who arrived in Ceylon in 1060 AD), paternal grandfather of Sir Razik Fareed, Kt., JPUM, OBE, MP (born, 29 December 1893, died 23 August 1984). Wapchi Marikar Bass was the builder of the General Post Office in Colombo, Colombo Customs, Old Town Hall in Pettah, Galle Face Hotel, Victoria Arcade, Finlay Moir building, the Clock Tower, Batternburg Battery and many other buildings that are still standing today (2011). The Old Town Hall in Pettah, which is now a busy market, was built on a contract for the sum of 689 Sterling Pounds.
Heiyantuduwa Raja (elephant) Skeleton at
National Museum of Colombo, Sri Lanka
In January 1877, the completed building of the Colombo Museum was declared open by Governor Gregory, in the presence of a large crowd, amongst which there were many Muslims present. At the end of the ceremony, the governor asked Arasi Marikar Wapchi Marikar what honour he wished to have for his dedication. He asked the same question of the carpenter who assisted Wapchi Marikar with the woodwork of the Museum, who requested and was awarded a local rank. Wapchi Marikar requested that the museum be closed on Fridays, the Muslim sabbath; this request was granted and maintained, although the Museum later much opened on all days except public holidays[2]
When the throne of the last Kandyan King was to be exhibited at the Museum, the then Prime Minister, Mr. D.S.Senanayake, obtained the consent of Sir Razik Fareed, Wapchi Marikar’s grandson, to keep the Museum open on the intervening Fridays only.
During the period between 1877 and 1999, the authorities of the museum took various steps to display the cultural and natural heritage of the country for this purpose. Several other wings were added from time to time under the direction of Dr. Arthur Willey and Dr. Joseph Pearson new structures were built during the period of Dr. P. E. P. Deraniyagala, Dr. P. H. D. H. de Silva and Sirinimal Lakdusinghe. One of the natural history museum, and yet another consists of the auditorium. These buildings would facilitate the extension of the library ethnological and Anthropological studies, etc.
tommaseo
Ajdovscina, Slovenia9 contributions
when was the National Museum built? By whom?
the actual building has always been a museum?
SuharaPerera
Colombo, Sri Lanka92 contributions
This was built on the 01st of January, 1877. The founder is Sir William Henry Gregory. The actual building was built for a museum of course.
Frequently Asked Questions about Colombo National Museum
- We recommend booking Colombo National Museum tours ahead of time to secure your spot. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. See all 172 Colombo National Museum tours on Tripadvisor
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