Incorporated under a museum act in 1942, its services expanded during his time, with branches coming up in Kandy, Jaffna and Ratnapura. The Museums first Sri Lankan director was Dr P.E.P Deraniyagala ,whose term in office was one of the finest periods in the institution’s history.
He also made a major contribution to the museum’s Zoology branch.
The research publications that appeared during Pearson’s term were highly acclaimed. Pearson held a museum exhibition to educate the public and drew the attention of scholars to the items. Pearson ,who held the post from 1910-1933. Among the other prominent directors was Dr J. Dr Halley raised the museum publication ‘Spolia Ceylanica’ and added a laboratory- among other facilities- to the building during his eight years of service. At the begining the museums collection of antiques was only 808 items and 384 models. Halley, who was assisted by a librarian and a taxidermist. Then known as the Colombo Museum, its early administrators were all Europeans. Smithers, while the contractors were S.M. The building was designed by the then Government Architect, James C. The Governor, a scholar of repute – realized the urgent need for establishing a museum and made proposal to the Constitutional Assembly on September 25th, 1872.ĭespite financial constraints, Sir William eventually succeeded in establishing the museum in a massive two storeyed building in Colombo 7 on January 1st 1877. Looking for more space to keep their books, the RAS library authorities were trying to get rid of the old animal bones and other antiques in the building, when Sir William got wind of it. The credit for establishing it goes to Sir William Henry Gregory, who was the island’s British Governor from 1872 to 1877. What began as a collection of antiques in a dilapidated old building that house the Royal Asiatic Society’s (Sri Lanka branch) library has today become one of South Asia’s best museums. The Colombo National Museum – One of Asia’s oldest- celebrated its 131st anniversary this January. This article is reproduced with kind permission from the National Gem and Jewellery Authority.