The Economic History Museum of Sri Lanka, located in the heart of Colombo Fort, offers a comprehensive journey through the island's rich economic past.
Location and Building:
- The museum resides within the "Central Point" building, situated at 54 Chatham Street, Colombo 01. This location is significant, placing it in the historic Fort area of Colombo.
- The building itself is a historical landmark. Originally opened in 1914 as the National Mutual Building, it showcases a Greco-Roman architectural style, notably featuring a colonnade of Corinthian columns at its entrance.
- The building has also had a very intresting history, and was also damaged during the 1996 central bank bombing.
- The Central Bank of Sri lanka then restored the building and in 2013 opened the Economic History Museum of Sri Lanka.
Museum Exhibits:
- The museum's primary focus is the evolution of currency in Sri Lanka, tracing its origins back to the 3rd century BC.
- Visitors can explore a diverse collection of coins and notes from various historical periods, including:
- The Anuradhapura era.
- The Polonnaruwa and Kotte Kingdoms era.
- The Portuguese, Dutch, and British colonial eras.
- The modern era of Sri Lanka.
- Also displayed are commemorative coins and notes.
- In addition to currency displays, the museum provides insights into the processes of minting coins and printing currency notes.
- Interactive elements, such as self-learning tools for detecting currency security features and informative videos, enhance the visitor experience.
- The museum also displays information about the barter system, and the emergence of the monetary system.
- The Museum provides a chronological order of ancient, medieval, and the period of European influence.
Visitor Information:
- The museum is an initiative of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL).
- It aims to educate the public about Sri Lanka's economic history.
- The museum offers free tours to school children and interested parties.
- The location is very close to other Colombo fort landmarks, making it very easy to combine with other tourist activites.
- The museum also has a publication sales counter, where CBSL publications can be purchased.
- The Currency sales counter, where commemorative coins and other items can be purchased, is also located within the museum.
Overall Experience:
- A visit to the Economic History Museum of Sri Lanka provides a valuable educational experience, offering a glimpse into the economic foundations of the country.
- The historical significance of the building and the comprehensive collection of artifacts make it a worthwhile destination for history enthusiasts and anyone interested in Sri Lanka's cultural heritage.