Dambulla Museum

The Museum of wall Painting of the Central Cultural Fund is located in the Rangiri Dambulla Raja Maha Vihara premises in Dambulla.

This purpose of this museum is to allow witness and study the wall paintings that were uncovered by the Dambulla Project through surveys and researches carried out since 1991.Paintings are displayed under the theme ‘Evolution of Sri Lankan Cave and Wall Paintings. Preserving the paintings that were damaged by natural effects and insects is another aim of this museum.

The Dambulla Museum is the only one of its kind in Sri Lanka, which specifically functions with the aim of exhibiting paintings of Sri Lanka, including the famed Sigiriya frescoes, and wall paintings at a number of ancient temples ranging from Anuradhapura period to the modern era.

The museum was declared open on 16th November 2003.

Visitor Facilities

• Assistance from Information Officers for guiding inside the museum
• Book Shop and Souvenir shop
• Lavatory facilities

Visitor activities

• Educational programmes (providing knowledge for A/L students’ educational assignments, and providing training and information for university students’ and researchers’ dissertations.
• Conducting monthly lectures and workshops.

Opening Hours

• 7.30 a.m. to 4.30 p.m. daily (Last entrance at 4 p.m.)