Museum

MARTIN WICKRAMASINGHE TRUST

Museum of Folk & Culture

The Martin Wickramasinghe folk museum complex in Koggala is a treasure trove of artefacts that gives the visitor an idea of the folk arts and crafts as well as products of folk technology, created by local craftsmen. These were an integral part of the daily lives of the rural folk at the time. The objects on display have been categorized according to different aspects of folk culture, represented across several indoor and outdoor galleries. The museum features a fascinating collection, from Buddhist artefacts to those which portray the development of rural technology in agriculture, agro industry, fishing, pottery and metal craft artefacts. It also contains various objects pertaining to folk dances and religious ceremonies. Tastefully presented, the museum offers visitors rare insights into Sri Lankan folk culture in a bygone era. The items on display are constantly growing as the Trust acquires more and more objects of interest.

THE MUSEUM

Ancestral Home & Hall of Life

The museum complex encompasses Martin Wickramasinghe's ancestral home. Sections of the house that stand within the complex are believed to be over 200 years old. It is a typical southern house, with distinct Dutch architectural features and cool, whitewashed walls and floors paved with square bricks. This is where the author and his nine sisters grew up near the sea and the lake, surrounded by an abundance of marine life, vegetation and forests. The house and its surroundings retain the charm and allure of Koggala which inspired the setting of many of his works. The Trust has recreated the rooms, including the room in which the writer was born, with original furniture and many of Wickramasinghe’s personal belongings, to give the impression that the writer has just gone on a stroll along the Koggala beach with its coral fringed sea. The house was taken over by the Royal Air Force during WW II, when all villagers in Malalgama and its environs were asked to vacate their homes. Most houses were demolished to build a sea plane base, the airstrip of which remains to this day.

The Hall of Life, opened in 1981, is a tribute to Wickramasinghe’s life and times. This exhibition of memorabilia includes photographs, awards and souvenirs. It also features a collection of memorabilia, souvenirs and gifts collected by the author on his travels. Wickramasinghe's ashes rest within a grass covered mound to the right of the house, surmounted by a wedge-shaped rock from the Koggala reef, where he spent many hours every day as a child. The ashes of his beloved wife, Prema, are also buried here.

COLLECTION

Cultural Treasures

The museum's collection, displayed across several pavilions and outdoor spaces, is dedicated to different aspects of folk culture, offering visitors rare insights into Sri Lankan folk culture in a bygone era. Highlights include:

• Rare artifacts representing the daily lives of rural folk and farmers.
• Traditional crafts and folk art exhibits, showcasing products of folk technology.
• Cultural heritage displays from the southern region, featuring Buddhist artefacts and objects pertaining to folk dances and religious ceremonies, as well as the development of rural technology in agriculture, agro industry, fishing, pottery and metal craft artefacts. Each artifact tells a story of Sri Lanka’s rich cultural heritage and provides insight into the influences that shaped Martin Wickramasinghe’s literary works.

Experience our Virtual Museum Tour

VISITOR INFORMATION

Plan Your Visit

We welcome visitors throughout the year, excluding the two-day holiday period of the Sinhala and Tamil New Year in April. Our museum offers a unique glimpse into Sri Lankan culture and the life of Martin Wickramasinghe.

Museum Admission & Hours

Admission Fees

• Resident (Adult): Rs. 100
• Resident (Child): Rs. 50
• Non-resident (Adult): Rs. 1000
• Non-resident (Child): Rs. 400

Opening Hours

9:00 AM – 5:00 PM (Daily)