Museum Exhibition from Sept. 23
There are several museums in Sri Lanka, the National Museum of
Natural History is the only one solely representing natural heritage.
This was established on September 23, 1986, now completes 23 years and
plans are afoot to commemorate it with much pride.
The special feature of this museum is the display of plant and animal
models which are endemic to Sri Lanka, that are rare and threatened with
extinction of which a vast number of locals as well as foreigners show
much interest and attention.
At present there are over 2 million models on display, through it was
about 5,000 at the beginning. They are mammals, birds, reptiles,
insects, fish, amphibians of various kinds, plants and geological rocks.
These can be viewed by those who have a love for natural heritage. This
museum is open to the public on all days except Fridays and public
holidays.
Arrangements are under way to hold a special exhibition titled
"Moonstones and mineral resources in Sri Lanka to coincide with the 23rd
anniversary which falls on September 23, 2009 under the auspices of
Cultural Affairs and National Heritage Minister Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena
and Cultural Affairs Minister Piyasiri Wijenayake. American astronauts
Neil Armstrong, Edwin Aldrin and Michael Collins set foot on the moon on
July 21, 1969, forty years ago marking a great achievement in the
history.
Though this was a small foot print, but it was a great leap towards
the whole mankind.
They brought 25 kg of moonstones collected from there recording as a
first consignment which brought from a sub planet to the earth. A part
of these stones were gifted to Sri Lanka by former US President Richard
Nixon in 1973 and at present kept in the Geological Unit of the National
Museums Department. At this exhibition these moonstones and related
important photographs are on display.
Exhibiting of Sri Lanka Ministerial Resources is the other part of
this exhibition. The schoolchildren and the public can get a wide
understanding about our resources through those gems, graphite, mineral
sands, mica, silica, sand sulphur, clay and limestones found in Sri
Lanka. What is a mineral resource and the physical ways to identify
scientifically describes at this exhibition.
This exhibition begins on 23.09.2009 and ends on 07.10.2009 except
Fridays and public holidays.
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