Back in 1911, the construction of this grand building began, and let me tell you, it was a big deal! When it finally opened its doors in 1914, it was the tallest building in the whole city! Talk about making a statement. The architects went for a Greco-Roman style, with fancy Corinthian columns at the entrance. And get this, there's a circular glass dome on top with an atrium that lets natural light flood into the seven floors. Imagine the sunlight bathing you while you're learning about money history. Ah, bliss!
Now, let's fast-forward to the not-so-joyful part. In 1996, this building took a bit of a beating when the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam attacked the Colombo Central Bank. But fear not, because the Central Bank of Sri Lanka swooped in, acquired the building in 2011, and gave it a well-deserved makeover to house this wonderful museum.
And speaking of the museum, it officially opened its doors in 2013 to the delight of all curious minds. Inside, you'll find an impressive collection of currency dating all the way back to the 3rd century BC. We're talking about coins from the Anuradhapura era, from the time of kingdoms like Polonnaruwa and Kotte, and even from the Portuguese, Dutch, and British colonial era. They've got it all covered!
But wait, there's more! Not only do they have regular coins and notes, but they also showcase commemorative coins and notes. Talk about money with a touch of art! And just to let you in on a little secret, other banks like National Savings Bank, Bank of Ceylon, People's Bank, and Hatton National Bank have their own tiny museums in Colombo too. But believe me, this Currency Museum takes the cake with its wealth of information.
So, my friend, get ready to immerse yourself in the captivating world of money history. It's time to explore the Economic History Museum and discover the hidden stories behind those shiny coins and crisp banknotes. Let's go!
But before we move on, here's a little joke for you: Why don't skeletons ever use currency? Because they don't have the guts! Now let's continue our adventure.
