The National Museum of Ratnapura is one of the national museums of Sri Lanka. It is located in Ratnapura, Sri Lanka and it was opened on 13 May 1988.[1] The museum building is called “Ehelepola Walauwa”, as it once belonged to Ehelepola Nilame,[2] a courtier of the Kingdom of Kandy, who was the 1st Adigar (1811 - 1814) under the reign King Sri Vikrama Rajasinha, the last king of Sri Lanka, for whom he served as the Disawe (local Governor) of Ratnapura.[3]
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| Established | 13 May 1988 |
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| Location | Colombo Road, Ratnapura, Sri Lanka |
| Coordinates | 6°41′04″N 80°23′58″E / 6.6844°N 80.3994°E |
| Type | History |
| Website | Department of National Museums website |
The museum includes exhibits on prehistoric archaeological inventions, natural heritage, geological, anthropological, zoological artifacts and models relating to the Sabaragamuwa Province. The weaponry on display include Sinhala swords of the late medieval era including a sword alleged to have belonged to Ehelepola, and a collection of old guns including a Vickers machine gun used during the First World War.[4] The cooking utensils of the region include a tripod pan with three moulds for preparing rice flour cakes known as kiri roti. Traditional Kandyan jewellery includes necklaces, bangles, anklets and earrings. The grounds of the museum contain a palaeobiodiversity park, with life-sized animal sculptures of species believed to have existed in the region.[3]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ "National Museum Ratnapura". Department of National Museums. Retrieved 4 June 2015.
- ^ Silva, Dhananjani (16 November 2014). "Exploring the City of Gems". Sunday Times. Retrieved 8 June 2015.
- ^ a b Silva, Dhananjani (12 October 2014). "Hidden treasures in the 'City of Gems'". Sunday Times. Retrieved 7 June 2015.
- ^ "Lakpura Travels (Pvt) Ltd". Retrieved 8 June 2015.