THE NATIONAL MUSEUM

The National Museum was established in 1877 on a proposal by the Royal Asiatic Society to the then Governor Sir William Henry Gregory and is housed in a imposing two storied building designed by the architect of the Public Works Department James G Smither.

The museum consists of the following Galleries.

	Evolution of the Buddha Image
	Anuradhapura Period
	Polonnaruwa Period
	Coins and Currency (Temporary Exhibition)
	Crafts of Sri Lanka
	Ceramic ware
	Regalia and Jewellery
	Stone Antiquities Masks/Traditional Packing Materials (Temporary Exhibition)
	Veddha Culture
	Ancient Lamps
	Paintings (Anuradhapura Period)
	Paintings (Polonnaruwa and Post Polonnaruwa Period)
	Paintings (Andrew Nicholl' s water colour paintings)
	Furniture
	Instruments connected with Musical, Traditional Pastimes, Devala costumes and indigenous medical objects
	Puppetry
	Special Exhibition - The Heritage of Sri Lanka Bronze Sculpture

The Museum possesses a number of exquisite sculptures both in Stone and in Bronze. The Tholuwila Buddha 3 - 5th century And a seated image found at Tholuwila a site close to Anuradhapura is a prime example and is considered to be one of the best preserved Buddha images found so far.

Special Exhibition

“Heritage of Bronze Sculpture in Sri Lanka” Includes a vast number of superior works of art connected with the ancient culture of Sri Lanka. This is a must for all those who wish to get a glimpse of Sri Lankan art and culture. These artifacts were exhibited to a large and appreciative audience in many foreign countries and are now back in Sri Lanka.