Economic History Museum of Sri Lanka (ශ්‍රී ලංකා ආර්ථික ඉතිහාස කෞතුකාගාරය)

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Historic Central Point Building in Colombo

Nestled in the heart of Colombo Fort, the Economic History Museum of Sri Lanka offers a captivating journey through over 2,500 years of the island’s trade, currency, and monetary evolution. Housed in the historic Central Point Building—a colonial-era architectural gem—the museum is not only a treasure trove of economic artifacts but also a monument to Sri Lanka’s rich heritage.

A Building with a Story ⤴

The museum resides in a five-storied structure originally built during Dutch rule and later redesigned in British architectural style. Marble pillars, a sweeping staircase, and a grand chandelier stretching up to the fifth floor lend the building a timeless elegance. Located near the iconic Colombo Fort Clock Tower—once a lighthouse and now the central reference point for measuring distances across the island.

From Barter to Banknotes

The museum’s exhibits are divided into three zones, each offering a unique perspective on Sri Lanka’s economic journey:

🔸Zone 1: Ancient and Medieval Currency

This section traces the evolution of trade from the barter system to the earliest coins used in Sri Lanka. Visitors can view punch-marked Kahapana coins from India, locally minted Elephant and Swastika coins, Lakshmi plaques, and rare Akurugoda tokens inscribed in Brahmi script. The medieval period showcases gold Rankahavanu coins and Massa coins bearing the names of monarchs like Vijayabahu and Parakramabahu, reflecting the island’s growing economic sophistication.

🔸Zone 2: Colonial and Modern Currency

Here, the focus shifts to coins and notes from the Portuguese, Dutch, and British periods. Highlights include VOC copper coins, silver hook-shaped Larin coins, and early British pound notes. The transition to the rupee-cent system and the establishment of the Central Bank in 1950 mark the beginning of modern currency issuance. Visitors can explore commemorative coins celebrating national milestones—from the 2500th Buddha Jayanthi to the Cricket World Cup victory.

🔸Zone 3: Minting and Printing

This zone showcases the coin production process, featuring exhibits from the Royal Mint of the Netherlands, the UK, and Mincovna Kremnica of Slovakia. The museum also details the printing of banknotes by De La Rue Lanka, including security features like watermarks, microtext, and UV-reactive fibers. Interactive panels and UV lamps allow visitors to examine these features firsthand.

Beyond the Exhibits

The museum includes sales counters offering commemorative coins, specialized notes, and Central Bank publications. Whether you’re a numismatist, a history enthusiast, or simply curious, the museum provides an opportunity to witness the economic heartbeat of Sri Lanka across centuries.

Entrance Ticket Prices

Entry to the Economic History Museum is free to all visitors, local and foreign.

Opening Hours

Description	Details
Open Days	Monday to Friday (except Public and Bank holidays)
Time	9.00 a.m. to 3.00 p.m

References

Shantha, R. D. A. (2022). Economic History Museum of Sri Lanka: Museum Guide (1st ed.). Central Bank of Sri Lanka.

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Map of the Economic History Museum

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Travel Directions to Economic History Museum

Distance from Colombo Fort Railway Station to the Economic History Museum

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Travel time: 2 minutes
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Pullavi Jungle Buddhist Monastic Ruins (1) in Kayankerni (කායංකේණි බෞද්ධ ආරාමික නටබුන් – 1)
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Pullavi Jungle Buddhist Monastic Ruins (2) in Kayankerni (කායංකේණි බෞද්ධ ආරාමික නටබුන් – 2)
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Ihala Kotuwella Ambalama in Pannala (පන්නල ඉහළ කොටුවැල්ල අම්බලම)
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Ruins of Allirani Fort in Arasapuram, Kilinochchi (අරිසපුරම් අල්ලිරානි කොටුව නටබුන්)
Ruins found at Arasapuram are believed to be ruins of a fort of Queen Allirani by the locals. However, no formal archaeological excavation has been done on this site. These ruins most probably belonged to an ancient monastery built millennia ago. […]
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Dambegoda Pillar Inscription in Maligawila (දඹේගොඩ ටැම් ලිපිය)
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Kotttapitiya Slab Inscription (කෝට්ටපිටිය පුවරු ලිපිය)
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