The National Museum occupies a white Italianate building set in formal gardens in Cinnamon Gardens, opened in 1877. The collection spans Sri Lanka's history from prehistoric times through the Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa, and Kandyan periods to the colonial era, and includes archaeological finds from across the island, traditional masks, ceremonial objects, and a strong section on the ancient hydraulic civilizations of the dry zone.
The museum is large enough to take most of a morning. The most striking rooms are those dedicated to the Kandyan period — the regalia, thrones, and ceremonial objects of the last Sinhalese kingdom have a richness that puts the colonial-era plunder into sharp relief. The natural history section upstairs is less well-maintained but has some fine specimens.