COLOMBO :The Department of National Museums has announced that, effective 1 September, all museums under its management—including the Colombo National Museum—will remain closed to the public every Monday and on certain national holidays such as Independence Day, Sinhala and Tamil New Year, Labour Day, Vesak, and Poson.
However, this raises the question: why Monday? Historically, when the Colombo National Museum was declared open on 1 January 1877 by Governor Sir William Henry Gregory, he sought to recognize the chief builder, Wapichi Marikkar, for his contribution. Marikkar’s humble request was that the museum be closed on Fridays, as it is an important day of prayer for Muslims. Governor Gregory honored this request, setting a precedent of cultural respect and inclusivity.
By shifting the closure to Mondays, this promise is being disregarded, sending the wrong message to future generations—that our commitments to history, heritage, and faith can be casually forgotten. I request His Excellency President Anura Kumara Dissanayake to instruct the Director General of Museums, Ms. Sanuja Kasthuriarachchi, to restore the original tradition of closing the museum on Fridays.
If a weekly Friday closure is deemed impractical or financially constraining, a compromise could be made by closing the museum on either the first or last Friday of each month. At the very least, such a gesture would show Sri Lanka’s commitment to honoring its past, respecting diversity, and keeping its promises.
For reference, some of the enduring landmarks constructed by Wapichi Marikkar include the General Post Office, Galle Face Hotel, Colombo Fort Clock Tower, Victoria Arcade, Colombo Customs Building, and the Old Town Hall in Pettah—testaments to his invaluable contribution to the nation.
Mohamed Zahran
Colombo
