Colombo Port Maritime Museum — Attraction in Colombo

The Colombo Port Maritime Museum also known as the Sri Lanka Ports Authority Maritime Museum is situated on Chaithya Road in Colombo, adjacent to the Colombo Port. It is operated and maintained by the Sri Lanka Ports Authority. The museum building was formerly a Dutch prison and is the only Dutch period building which exists up to date within the Colombo Port area. It was established on August 2003 and displays various artifacts in connection with the history of the port of the country, the maritime industry and the ocean surrounding the country such as model exhibits of ships and sculptures of significant characters such as King Vijeya.

The Maritime Museum can be found in the far northern section of the Chaithya Road in Colombo Fort where the road bends around to the Sri Lankan Navy Base.

The Road is long so take a Tuktuk and later walk back along the coast. On the bend is the magnificent Sambodhi Chaitya Dagoba that straddles the road. The road is a dead end as the entrance military gates block the road. To the left is a large rectangular block house. It used to be the old Dutch prison built in the late 1600's but now it is home to the Colombo Ports Authority Maritime Museum. It is in the grounds of the temple which I was not expecting. I was looking for a building standing on its own along the side of the road.

There is a small fee to go in. It is nice to get out of the sun for a while (or rain if you are unlucky) The Museum tells the story of the origins of Colombo and its maritime and trading history. Whilst most of Europe was living in mud huts with thatched roofs the Sri Lankans in Colombo were busy running an international trading business.

Take a historical tour which will leave you spellbound lost in the beauty of the large size painting of the voyages of discoveries by famous men. These voyages have played a significant role in shaping Sri Lanka’s history, culture, and religion. There are also 3D displays of the harbour of Colombo along with paintings of the Colombo fort which depict the...

Colombo Port Maritime Museum is a small but interesting free-entry museum that features port models, marine artifacts, and statues. Despite its size, it gives a good glimpse into Sri Lanka’s maritime history.

It’s easy to cover within a few minutes, yet there’s plenty of information to learn about the country’s seafaring past. The free entry is definitely a plus!

Finding the entrance can be a bit tricky, so look carefully for the gate near the Sambodhi Pagoda, both attractions are located in the same area, making it convenient to visit together. It’s also quiet and uncrowded, which makes the experience...

Colombo Port Maritime Museum is a small museum that is situated in the port sector of central Colombo. Since it's situated off the beaten path, you will probably be alone when you visit. The museum is old and in desperate need of attention, but its almost abandoned state adds a lot to its charm. I was waved right in without payment of an entrance fee. The exhibits give a quick outlook of the many people who landed in Sri Lanka at various times of its history, extending from the arrival of a Bengali prince to the Portuguese, Dutch and British. It also has items and artifacts that are related to...