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Aircrafts
of ancient Lanka in a British colonial
building, including the priceless
gem-encrusted Sinhala throne. Half-day tour.
If
there is no time to see the ancient cities
of Sri Lanka, a visit to the Colombo
Museum will provide a taste to
the richness of the history and culture of
the island. It is interesting to note that
the first concept of a museum in the world
was recorded in 307-267 BC in the 19th
chapter of the Mahavamsa, the monks'
chronicle of the island's history.
Drive
down Galle road from Colombo Fort to the
Kollupitiya Junction. Turn left to
Dharmapala Mawatha and go down to
Viharamahadevi Park. Turn right at the
roundabout. Half a mile along Albert
Crescent, the musuem can be seen on the
left. Built in 1887 by British Governor Sir
William Gregory, the imposing white building
is an example of architecture introduced by
the British. There are two bookshops at the
entrance selling postcards at Rs 1.50, the
cheapest on the island.
The
limestone Buddha statue at the museum
entrance, originally found at Toluvila, near
Anuradhapura, will catch your attention.
Near the staircase are two 12th-centuary
carvings taken from a rock carvings of seven
goddesses found in Polonnaruwa, and a
carving of the 10th- centuary Hindu Goddess
Durga found at Anuradhapura. Though not
marked this is Gallery
1.
In
Gallery 2
are clothes worn by nobles. Watch out for
horn combs used by the aristocracy. This
gallery also contains a fine example of a
moonstone and guard stones. There are no
protective railings, and details of the
intricate rock carvings can be clearly seen.
In
Gallery 4
are bronze statues, lamps, carvings for
Hindu goddesses, and pottery of the 3rd and
4th centuary. Also on dispaly are some fine
examples of 12th-century Chinese bowls found
during excavations at polonnaruwa.
In
Gallery 6,
look out especially for the bronze brasware
which depict the cruel deaths of Ehelepola
Kumarihamy's children, ordered by the last
king of Sri Lanka. There are also some fine
examples of wood and ivory carvings of the
17th and 19th century.
A
visit to Galery 8
is a must for the ancient swords and guns of
Sri Lankan kings. Note the old Sinhala gun
with intricate carvings on the brass plates,
and the sword used by King Buvenekabahu of
Yapahuwa. The prize exhibit, of course, is
the gem-studded throne of Sri alnkan kings,
originally built for King Rajasinghe I. Even
his footstool is studded with gems. Just
beside the throne sits an equally
ostentations bejewelled crown.
The
musuem's paintings, dating back centuries, tell a tale of a
bygone era when the pace was more relaxed. There are scenes of
Sri Lanka's aborigines, the Veddahs, hunting with bows and
arrows.
For
researchers, the Museum Library
has over half a million publications of interest. For
children, the fascinating world of puppetry comes alive with
the display upstairs. There are masks used in traditional
dance, including devil dancing.
The
National Museum of Natural History,
behind the main museum, has many fine examples of Sri alnka's
wildlife and other natural resources.
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