Tourism in Sri Lanka is growing rapidly. For centuries, Sri Lanka has been a popular place of attraction for foreign travelers. The Chinese traveler Fa-Hien visited Sri Lanka as early as the 410's AD/CE, and in the twelfth century, Italian explorer Marco Polo claimed Sri Lanka to be the "best island of its size in the world".
The National Maritime Museum or National Maritime Archaeology Museum in Galle, Sri Lanka is situated within Galle Fort. It was first opened to the public on 9 May 1992 and is located in a 1671 Dutch Warehouse above the Old Gate of Galle Fort. Whilst the building housing the museum survived the impact of the 26 December 2004 tsunami, the adjoining UNESCO Maritime Archaeology Unit was completely destroyed and all the exhibitions were flood damaged and the majority of maritime archeological artifacts were lost. Under Sri Lanka – Netherlands Cultural Co-operation Program, the Royal Government of Netherlands provided financial assistance for reconstruction of the Maritime Museum. After 3 years period of reconstruction, the Maritime Museum was re-opened to the public.
The Colombo Dutch Museum is a museum that covers the history of the Dutch colonial rule in Sri Lanka.
Buduruwagala is an ancient buddhist temple in Sri Lanka. The complex consists of seven statues and belongs to the Mahayana school of thought. The statues date back to the 10th century. The gigantic Buddha statue still bears traces of its original stuccoed robe and a long streak of orange suggests it was once brightly painted. The central of the three figures to the Buddha's right is thought to be the Buddhist mythological figure-the Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara. To the left of this white painted figure is a female figure in the thrice-bent posture, which is thought to be his consort-Tara.
Galle Harbour is a natural harbour, located in Galle, on the south-western coast of Sri Lanka. Currently Galle port serves as one of the most active regional ports in the country. It is also the only Sri Lankan port that provides facilities for pleasure yachts. International yacht societies have recognised Galle Harbour as one of the world's best attractions for yachting.
The Anuradhapura cross is a form of the Christian cross symbol. It is the most ancient symbol of Christianity in Sri Lanka.
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. The museum building is called “Ehelepola Walauwa”, as it once belonged to Ehelepola Nilame, a courtier of the Kingdom of Kandy, who was the 1st Adigar under the reign King Sri Vikrama Rajasinha, the last king of Sri Lanka, for whom he served as the Disawe of Ratnapura.
Mulgirigala Archaeological Museum is a site museum located at Mulkirigala, Sri Lanka. It was maintained by Department of Archaeology of Sri Lanka.
Kasagala Archaeological Museum is a site museum located at Kasagala, Sri Lanka. It was maintained by Department of Archaeology of Sri Lanka. The museum is used to exhibit antiquities belonging to Kasagala and surrounding area.
Anuradhapura Archaeological Museum is one of the archaeological museums of Sri Lanka. It is situated in the old administration building, in the sacred city of Anuradhapura. The museum was established in 1947 under the prime effort of former Director General, Dr. Senarath Paranavithana.
Mihintale Archaeological Museum is an archaeological museum in Mihintale, Sri Lanka. The museum was built in 1984 and is maintained by Department of Archaeology of Sri Lanka.
Isurumuniya Archaeological Museum is a site museum located in Isurumuniya, Sri Lanka. It was established in Isurumuni vihara in 1984. The museum is maintained by Department of Archaeology of Sri Lanka.
Anuradhapura Folk Museum is a folk museum of Sri Lanka. It is situated near the Anuradhapura Archaeological Museum. The museum was established on August 22, 1971.
Vavuniya Archaeological Museum is a regional museum located in Vavuniya town, Sri Lanka. It was founded and owned by Department of Archaeology of Sri Lanka. This regional museum covers and exhibits archaeological objects that found in Vavuniya area and its surroundings.
Hatthikuchchi Archaeological Museum is one of the archaeological museums in Hatthikuchchi, Sri Lanka. The museum has been categorised as a site museum. It was built in 1990 at Tambutta, Mailewa area close to Haththikuchchi Vihara. Although today the museum has been established close to the Haththikuchchi Vihara premises. The museum is maintained by the Department of Archaeology of Sri Lanka.
Ancient Kadurugoda Viharaya with some remains of Stupas is situated in Kandarodai village in Chunnakam, Sri Lanka. The temple is considered one of the ancient Buddhist remains in existence today in Jaffna Peninsula.
Panduwasnuwara Archaeological Museum is an archaeological Museum in Panduwasnuwara, Sri Lanka. It is located at Kotampitiya junction on Kurunegala-Chilaw road, near to the ancient shrine Panduwasnuwara Raja Maha Vihara. The museum serve as the regional museum for North Western Province of the country and is maintained by Archaeological department of Sri Lanka.
Kotte Museum is an archaeological Museum in Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte, Sri Lanka. It is located at Bangala junction in Ethul Kotte, on the Borella-Pitakotte main road. The museum serves as the regional museum for Western Province of the country and is maintained by Archaeological department of Sri Lanka.
