The Dutch Period Museum

The old “Dutch House” on Prince Street, Pettah ( Colombo 11) which hoses this museum was built in the latter part of the 17 th century and was initially the residence of Count August Carl Van Ranzow, along with five other houses of the elite. Today, the sides of the street are choc-a-block with boutiques and stores of Moslem traders. The restoration of this building commenced in 1977 and was completed in 1981. The Museum was opened to the public in 1982. This building embodies the unique architectural features of a colonial Dutch town house. The Museum displays the Dutch legacy with artifacts such as furniture, ceramics, coins, arms, etc. and vividly portrays facets of contemporary life and culture. Open daily (except Fridays) from 0900 Hrs. to 1700 Hrs. Admission: Adults Rs.50. Children Rs. 25 Tel: 448466

Weera Puran Appu Museum

Housed at Weera Puran Appu Vidyalaya, New Galle Road, Moratuwa. This Museum exhibits items in relation to the life and times of this great hero, who fought the British against unfair levy of taxes and injustice and laid down his life in defense of his country.

Bandaranaike Museum

Housed in the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall, Bauddhaloka Mawatha, Colombo 07. The Museum contains photographs, objects and documents portraying the life and times of the late Prime Minister, S.W.R.D. Bandaranaike. Visitors can listen to recordings of some of his famous speeches. Open daily, excepts Mondays and full moon days from 0900 Hrs. to 1600 Hrs. For special arrangements contact, Bandaranaike Museum, Tel: 691139

Art Gallery

The Art Gallery at Dr. Ananda Coomaraswamy Mawatha, Colombo 7 caters largely to conservative tastes.

The Lionel Wendt Art gallery

The Lionel Wendt Art gallery at Guildford Crescent, Colombo 7, displays contemporary paintings.

Kalagaraya

Kalagaraya the permanent art gallery of the Alliance Française de Colombo displays a representative collection of contemporary art.

LENAWARA RAJA MAHA VIHARAYA – AVISSAWELLA

The caves with stone water tubes found in the temple premises go to confirm the existence of settlements from the early Anuradhapura period.  These caves with stone vessels found in the Raja Maha Vihara grounds bear testimony that there were human settlements in this area as early as 2-3 B.C.  We believe that the caves were inhabited by Bhikkhus.  Later on, folklore had built around the Sithawake Rajasinghe period and adjacent times.
With the Buddhist resurgence pioneered by Welivita Saranankara Sangaraja Thera, this temple also had developed and been a place of much historical value from the pre Christian era.

KOLONKANDA JUNGLE HERMITAGE

Live  archaeological factors indicate that bhikkus had occupied the place form the pre-christian times. Theses are seven caves with stine tub, and one cave without.
 According to folklore the place got its name form the Kolun trees that grew in abundance in the area.

 KARAGAMPITIYA SUBODHARAMAYA

This is an extremely valuable archaeological site within the district of Colombo. The painting and sculpture in the Vihara premises belongs to the Kandyan period.
The canopy in the Dharmasala and the pulpit (Mandapaya) have been decorated with Kandyan period paintings. These creations are very important  archaeological remains.


 KOLONKANDA JUNGLE HERMITAGE 

Live  archaeological factors indicate that bhikkus had occupied the place form the pre-christian times. Theses are seven caves with stine tub, and one cave without.
 According to folklore the place got its name form the Kolun trees that grew in abundance in the area.

EBULGAMA RAJAMAHA VIHARAYA –HOMAGAMA

The stone cave with stone tubes confirm that place was inhabited during the early Anuradapura period.  It is mentioned that the place was used to reganize troops for the battle with Kalinga Magha towards the end of the Polonnaruwa period. Later on, during the Kandyan period too there  had been development work here. Form the continuity of the order of Bhikkus it can be said that the place had remains alive form the 19th century. 
According to the folklore the Sage Gurulugomi received his morning meal here, and the place got its name Embula (Meal) Nelu Vehera which became Embulgama in the course of time.  There are two stone caves with tubs and several caved without tubs.

GOTHAMI VIHARAYA

The land on which the Gothami Vihara Stands, was donated to Rev.Dodanduwa Piyarathana during the first half of the nineteenth centaury by James Peiris, considered a great here in the Sri Lankan campaign for independence from the British.
Gothami Vihara has become world renown for its excellent paintings.  These painting had been done very attractively  on white masonry using deep brown lines by George Keat a first class painter similar painting traditions are to be seen in the ancient Buddhist temples of Dambulla, Lankathilaka, Rangirigala.
It is a to be observed that the Gothami Vihara wall paintings (frescos) represent new tradition from an integrated with the grate traditions of the Anuradharapura, Polonnaruwa and Kandyan periods.  It is named the keat tradition in some literary works like the modern painting tradition of the 20th centaury, the paintings done in this temple mixing the ingenious painting tradition has a history going back to about 8 decades.   

GALVANA ANCIENT RAJAMAHA VIHARAYA

The history of the Galvana Ancient Rajamaha Viharaya dates back to 1700 A.D. according to history and folklore it had been known as Wekanda Viharaya.  The temple closed to the bound of the Mulleriyawa Tank, began as Vekanda Viharaya.
Historical sources indicate that the Portuguese lost the battle against the King Rajasinghe and the Singhalese turned the lake water red (with blood).
Even today there is evidence of  smaller tank in addition to the main Mulleriyawa Tank.  There had been stone anicuts to brain away excess water from the tank, and according to the folklore, Galvana got its name from this anicuts (Gal-stone, vane-anicut) to the south-east of the Galvana Temple, were the places where king lived.  Hence the place is now known as Maligagodalla.  King Parakumba the Six had no sons.  The great poem Salalihini Sandeshaya is all about a letter send by this king to god Vibhishana living in the temple Kelaniya stating the king need for a son.  The epistle was sent through the Salalihiniya (a bird).

RANKADUWA PATHTHINI DEVALAYA

Rankadu Paththini Dewalaya was historically known as Kadudewola but its existence can not be trace to a distinct period.  Folklore has it that the goddess Paththini had come to this place and settled the dispute among the seven Bandaras and given the devala to god Manik Bandara as his right.  Gods Sapumal Bandara and Veediya Bandara belonged to this group Seven Bandaras   .  According to history Paththini worship spread in the Island during the reign of King Gajaba (112-134 B.C.) it may, therefore, surmised that the Paththini worship started about that time.  A god deal of chronicle about Kadudewola found in the Seethawaka period.  There is mention of several dewalas that received   the Patronage and homage of king Rajasinghe.  Among them are the dewalas at Kaduwela, Nawagamuwa Dewalaya, Medegoda Dewalaya, Tannaathota Dewalaya and Ganegoda Dewalaya.  In the book name Nampotha or Vihara Asna written in the Kandyan period place name Nawagamuwa and Korathota are mention along with the Kadudewola the existence of a place of worship by the name Kadudewola even before King Rajasinghe name Hewagam Koralaya, is bone out in the manuscripts Rajawaliya.  When historical facts are expounded it became clear that more emphasis had been give to Kadudewola in patriotic struggles than as a place of worship.
The Seethawaka kindum was engaged in incessant struggle against Kotte and the Portuguese.  Dusring these struggles Kadudewola became the play ground of the soldiers of King Rajasinghe it has come down folklore that Kaduwela got its name from the thrown of swords (Kadu) away to the field (Wela) in the historic battle of Mulleriyawa (1583 A.D.).   The passawanguwa was between Raggahawatte and Kadudewola guard post.  Rajawaliya has recorded that having defeated the Portuguese, the King Mounted Cannon at these two places and when back to Seethawaka.  This note confirm that there was a fortress of the King at the Kadudewola (Kaduwela).  Kadudewola has been mentioned in several instant in the battle between king Rajasinghe and Portuguese.  It appears that during the Seethawaka reign Kadudewola had been considered strategic depends location.  It mare be that the existence of a fortress on the Kadudewola hill had and effect from the Dewalaya.  The Moda ela cut by the Portuguese on the land side of dewala kanda is evidence that after Rajasinghe, the Portuguese took Dewala Kanda.  Kaduwela Dewalaya having been under the jurisdiction of god manic Bandara Paththini worship have spread during the period of Seethawaka kindum subsequently the name might have become Rankaduwa Paththini Dewalaya.  Hence we mare go on the hypothesis that the Dewola belong to the King Gajaba period.

ASMADALA CAVE
 
Asmadala cave is a site their evidence of human settlement during back to pre-historic period is been unearthed.  Whilst facts relating to the middle stone age have been discovered through archaeological investigation in the stone caves of wet zone of Sri Lanka, similar findings in the Asmadala caves in more value as pre-historic settlement.
Middle stone age factors have been found in the cave and the surrounding during the excavation and investigation done by the post graduate institute of archaeology in Kelaniya in 1997.  Stone tubes used by bhikkus in the period 2-3 B.C. provide confirmation of finding.  According to folklore this cave had been during the post historic era as well.
Among the archaeological monuments in the Colombo District Asmadala Stone Cave is an invaluable site where evidence pertaining to the pre-historic error as well as early part of the Anuradhapura period is found.

PALHORAUNKANDA PRE-HISTORIC SITE

This is place where archaeological evidence of existence of human settlement of pre-historic period is been unearthed.  Implement used by pre-historic man are to be seen in the earth deposit in the caves.  Shells, plants fossils and stones and implement are to be seen.
Similar finding have been reported from Asmadala cave, fahiyan  cave in Bulathsinghala, Edurugalawattha, Kithulgala Beli cave etc.  This cave is over  8 meters and 2.08 meters wide and has been described in the work pre-history of Ceylon by  Dr. S.Dharaniyagala.

Ancient turnnel at Ananda Sastralaya prwmises.

Ancient under ground tunnel at Ananda Sastralaya premises belongs to the 16th century.   The Portuguese imprisoned Vidiye Bandara at the Colombo fort.  The daughter of Mayadunne, Suriya Kumary had made this tunnel in order to escape Vidiyc Bandara.  This is situated in the premises of Kotte Rajamaha Viharaya premises.  Anansa Sastralaya to which the tunnel belongs is an school started by late reverend Embuldeniye Sri Wimalathissa Mahanayaka Thero started this school under the Programme of establishing Buddhist schools in the 19th century.

Ginthupitiya Vinnayagar Kovil

In the latter part of the 19th century this was identified as Sri Sivaraja Vinnayagar Kovil and it had been gazetted and protected as an archaeological remain.

Dadagamuwa Rajamaha Viharaya

Leegnd says king Devanam Piyathissa had donated this land to a prince called Sumittha and he carried out farming and developed this place and constructed a vihara at this place.  In the Kana Singala story in Pali RasavHINI Dadagamuwa is included in the village called “Dhnkagona”.  As archeological remain heaps stones and a stone with a foot print can be seen.  Watadageya constructed on rectangular plan is importen.  The height of this Dagaba is about 25 feet and Watadageya is about 200 years old.  In the preservation of paintings, paintings belongining to the Kandyan tradition had been found.

Pepiliyana Sunethradevi Pirivena

According to literary sources and the Pepiliyana inscriptions this temple had been constructed in the Kotte period.  Parakramabahu the 06th who ruled Kotte in the 05th century had constructed this temple to inboke blessing for his late mother by the inscription it had been identified that this temple had been offered to Sumangala Maha Thero, a pupil of Galathuramula Medhalankara.

Korathota Maha Viharaya

The inscription in Brahimrni characters reveals that this temple had begun in the year 01 A.D.  It is said that a daughter of Mahachula Mahatissa had offerd this cave to the Sanga in 76-62 B.C. and a person name Sumana provincial leader had donated caves to the Sanga.
We can identified six caves use by the Sanga.  In the legend it is said that king Walagamba hid in this place in 01 B.C.

Gorden Garden

The extend of land coming from the times of the Portuguese is 9.5 acres.(16thcentury)
There is a stone with the Portuguese emplem.  This is the oldest archeological remains found here.  Before this was developed as a park, it was used as a cricket and football ground.  This is named after the British Governor Sir Arthur Gorden.  His official quarters had been the present Janadhipathi Mandiraya and at the same time this had been a part of it.

Kotte Rajama Viharaya

This belongs to the 14th century.  This was develop during the reign of Parakramabahu the Great.  The temple declined with the fall of the kingdom of the Kotte.  Pilane Buddharakitha thero again clear the temple in the year 1713.

Sri Jayawardhanapura Kotte Ancient Rajamaha Viharaya

This temple had been constructed during the reign of Parakramabahu VI who ascended the throune in the latter part of the 14th century.  Vihara Mandiraya, Chetiya four Devalas, Seemamalakaya and few damaged stone pillars can be considered as archeological remains found hers.  Vihara mandira consists of two storeys as inner and the circular story.  The dilapidated an-cient stupa had been renovated in the year 1813.
Among the archeological remains found in the temple, the bowl with letters “Wasala” is important.  It can also be stated that apart from these the old Natree and Bodhiya also carry a historical importance.
Dutch cemetery – Jawatta

It is believed that the church of Our lady was constructed in the Dutch cemetery by the catholic missionary during the time of Portuguese period and at present there is no trace of this church.  Steps with cabook and the well can be seen.  By the excavations carried out in 2001 – 2002 by the Department of archeology, Dutch coins were found.

Warana Rajamaha Viharaya

According to archeological factors the history of Warana Rajamaha Viharaya runs to 3-2 century B.C.  It is confirmed by the inscription in Brahmi characters found in the premises.  In this temple there are many caves with dripledges.  Various constructions have come up in the Kotte period,  Kandyan period and at later times.  This temple has three sections and the lower section of the rock is known as Diggala with the inscription, has four caves, Awasagey, and the Cave with the Bana preaching hall.
In the section in the center Mahaviharaya, Cabe with old paintings, Chetiya, Devalaya and Cave are found, behind and inscriptions is found.
The cave found in the upper sections Watadage in the cave pond, old cave steps on the rock are of historical importants.

Maligathenna

During the time of the kingdom of Kotte, when foreigners invaded the country the members of the Royal family sought shelter in this place.  Cave with dripledges, stone door frame connected to the stone with dripledges images of gods and flower designs, unfinished stone seat are the archeological remains found here.
On the top of the mountain finds the underground palace and the ancent pond on the rock has and archeological value.

Punchi Siripadaya at Paurukanda

King Manabharana who got defeated in the fight with Wickramabahu fled to Pasyodunrata with his brothers Kithsirimegha and Sri Wallabha.   And got protection their.  It is said fortress Manabharana was also at this place.  This is a natural fortress and its summit is sorrounded with a stone wall.  As such it is called “Paurukanda”.  Recently
Foot print of lord Buddha had been hewn at the summit of the hill.  An it is called “Punchi Siripadha”  in the summit there is a cave, where about 400 can stay at the time.
It is believed that king Manabharana lived here.  Out of the archeological remains the stone canoe occupies and important in this place.

Pathawatta Raja Maha Viharaya

This is considered as the place where king Raigam Bandara resided the extent of the place is about 4 acres and around it there is a rampart made of Cabook of 8 ft. wide.  In the legend it is started that dilapidated fond 80 x  60 ft. was used by king Raigam Bandara.  A part from this urinary stone with simple decoration water fall with elephant trunk, stone boards which made several moon stones, parts of stone pillars foundation and other remains of statue are visible.

Sapugaskandha Purana Raja Maha Viharaya

This temple is constructed during the reign of king Narendrasinghe and it has a history of about 500 years.
In the year 1790 Revend Peratugoda belonging to Waliwita Sangaraja clan had renovated this temple.  The Bana preaching hall, Avasa geya,  temple can be considered as historical memorials. 
According to the style of images and paintings in the temple it can be said that they belong to the 18th century.

Lenawara Rajamaha Viharaya

This temple belonging to the Polonnaruwa period is considered as the chief temple in the Western Province it is stated in the Papiliyana Sannasa of King Parakramabahu six that a Brahaman named “Ramasundara” stayed in Meditation in these caves and he donated “PEENAS VEDAKAMA’ written on a gold plate, as this WARAYA (Favour) takes place in a caves, this temple derived the name as “LENAWARA”.  The historical memorial in this place can be taken as the Devalaya.  The pictures of Gods Vishnu, Katharagama, Saman and pictures of Katharagamam, Saman and pictures of women also can be seen here.

Pilikuttuwa Rajamaha Viharaya

Inscriptions with Pre Brahmi characters prove that Pilikutthuwa Rajamaha Viharaya exists as a religious place from pre B.C. period.
A special feature in this place in the 99 caves with dripledges, Tank, Under ground water ways, Temple, Bana preaching halls with the three stories, natural Watadageya, Old wooden bridge, paintings of the Kandiyan period are the historical factors found here.

Sapugoda Viharaya

During the reign king Sri Wikrama Rajasinghe of Kandy, Reverend Sapugoda Anandha Thero had come to Massalgoda area in Beruwala and had started this temple.  As a make of respect for Sapugoda Ananda Thero this temple is named as Sapugoda Viharaya.  The image house with ancient paintings representing Kandiya Tredusing is a special construction.  In the right side of the second story A Makara Thorana appears with Bodhi Sathwa images and on the right is a Makara thorana with the state symbol with the crown.  Two figures of lion Can be seen in the Thorana.  A part from these there is an old Vahalkada and a dilapidated Cabook wall.  Buddha stores of  Kandiyan style also can be seen in this temple.

Pokunuvita Raja Maha Viharaya

This temple can be considered as a temple belonging to the reign of king Keerthi Sri Megawarna in fourth century.  A dand it is given in the inscription found here.  There is information that a minister known as “Deva” in the reign of king Keerthi Sri Megawarna made an offering to this temple, in the inscription falling in to the category of Brahmi Characters it is stated that Deva the Son Siyawage entrusted paternal Portion to the priest in the temple for their use, in the 10 year of the coronation of the king Keerthi Sri Megawarna.  In this temple there are three temples known as Purana Viharaya, Rock Temple and Jethawanaramaya.  Old temple had been constructed using Cabook an it consist of a Garbha Gruha, and a walk round.  In the center of Garbha Gruha there is a Samadhi statue and the out a walls are made according to Panel system.  The up ride Buddha images facing backwards right and left walls carry stone features belonging to the Kandiyan Period.  Vishnu and Saman images are closed to the Buddha statues are considered as ancient images.

Attanagalla Rajamaha Viharaya

In the legend it is said the king Bosath Sri Sangabo who became the king of this country in 779 Buddhist eras gave his head by his owned hand to a beggar expecting Buddha hood in future.
The Vatada Geya constructed by king Gotabaya in the year 797 Buddhist eras by depositing the ashes of the heedless body of King Sri Sangabo and the ashes of his queen, with the painting of the Kandiyan period and the cave temple where the king Siri Sangabo can be seen here.
The dagaba known as Dambadeni Dagaba constructed by Parakramabaho second by cremating his fater Vijayabahoo the third and a new Vihara constructed on the remains of the Octagonan image house between 1236A.D/1260A.D by him can be seen.
The pond use by King Siri Sangabo and the stone with the food print of the queen and the remains of five storied building constructed by King Upathissa in the year 913 Buddhist eras, 11 stone fillers door frame, Makara Hand Railing and Sandakadapahana with the pictures of elephants are found as remains.
Steps and Punkalas belonging to the Polonnaruwa period, gates and Guard stone are the archaeological found here.

Kelaniya Rajamaha Viharaya

It is stated in chronicles that lord Buddha visited Kelaniya on the 8 year of attaining Buddha hood, at request of Naga king Mani Akka and preched Dhamma from the place where the Maha dagoba is found.  The original state of Kelaniya temple cannot be seen today but archaeological remains of Anuradhapura period are found.  Water – closet, stones Koravakgall, Stone Pillars and a Pillar inscription belong in to the Kotte period are found here.  The image house belonging to the 18th century is also of archaeological values.  There are two holes out as outside temple and inner temple.  The rear walls of the inner temple is made beautiful with images and in the center there is a 18 cubit reclining Buddha statue and close to the head of the statue is an old stone image and another statue.
Images of Natha, Vishnu and Skandha are found close to the feet of the recling statue.  Jathaka stories illustrated with pictures of the Kandiyan period, modern painting of Soliyas Mendis illustrating historical incidents can be seen.

Warakagoda Gallen Rajamaha Viharaya

This place connect with chronicles with the detail of Pasyodun Rata fortress.  It is belived the temple had been constructed when the brother Manabarana, Keerthi Sri Mega and Sri Vallabha were occupying the fortress at Pasyodun Rata.  It is also believed that 18 cubit reclining Buddha stature found here had been constructed by them the Statue had been constructed at the beginning in clay, but 1800 A.D. lime had been applied for the safety of the statute.

Rankoth Viharaya

The temple had been stated in the year 1810.  That time this temple was known as Gal Kana Viharaya or Gal Wale Viharaya.  During the renovation activities carried out later gold had been applied in the pinnacle of the Sthupa and due to it the temple is known as Rankoth Viharaya.  This temple Holds a special impotents as the temple which prepared the preliminnnnary activities of the Panadura Vadaya (Panadura Debet).  The Vihara Mandira of this temple has a historical important.  Ancient painting can be seen on the walls of the inner part at the upper story.
From these there can be seen an old sthupa constructed in the year 1863 and a two storied Sangawasa constructed the during the period of British administration.

Pahiyangala Cave Temple

 This place Fahiyangala is connected with the exploring Chinese prist Fahiyan who visited Sri Lanka in 5th century A.D.  It is considered that Revarand Fahiyan stay in this place.  But considerable factors have not been revealed to prove this.  This cave situated about four hundred (400) meters above the see level, is about 150 feet in height and 175 feet in breath and the depth is 280 feet.  This is the biggest natural cave identified in Sri Lanka.  By an experiment carried out during the period 1986 to 1987 it has been revealed that this cave is about 38300 years old.  The important of the place it enhanced as stone implements, remains herbs taken for food are found.

Asgiriya Rajamaha Viharaya

The history of the temple runs to the reign of King Valagamba.  There is legend that the King Valagamba who fled from Rajarata Stayed in this Historical places from time to time.
Asgiriya Rajamaha Viharaya had received the patronage of a provincial king named Sakala Kala Vallaba appointed during the period of king Parakramabahu six.  This cave temple with dripledges had been constructed with wattle and daub.  To the right of the cave temple a Devalaya had been constructed.  The image house in the cave temple had been constructed little high from the flow.  A wooden flight of staires had been constructed to enter it.  Inside this image house, there is a Samadi Buddha image with features of art in the Kandiyan period and on the either side to images of Buddha in Abaya mudra can be seen and adjoining this Buddha images, to the right and image of god Saman is seen and to the left an image of god Vishnu can also be seen.  Paintings of the Kandiyan period could be seen inside the temple.  The canopy of the cave is decorated with lotus flower decoration and with various other flower designs.
Above this cave temple on the surface of the rock a Sannasa (Deed of grant) with the picture of a horse is found.  In this place there is a pond made on the rock and the Dagaba is situated above it.  In the top portion of the rock surface, a big cave with drip ledges could be seen.

Negombo Fortress

The Portuguese constructed the Negombo fortress in the year 1600.  In the year 1644 the dutch captured.  There after they developed according to their requirements.  In the year 1678 the dutch made the big fortress made by the Portuguse small and brought to the present position.  This has the traditional characters of a Dutch Fortress with a bastion and two entrances.  Except these it has a special store to keep cinnamon.
In the year 1796 the English snatched the Negombo fort from the Dutch.  They demolished the buildings in the fort and constructed prisons instead of them.  As a result of this the main entrance of the fort constructed by the Dutch in the year 1678 and a small portion of it on the either side can be seen today.  Apart from these the old clock, old ammunition store and an old Bo’tree set to be a sapling of Sri Maha Bodhi plated during the rain of king Valagamba according to the folklore, can be seen.