10th Parliament· 154 sittings on record · 30,475 speeches · latest 10 June 2026

The Hon. Mujibur Rahuman

Samagi Jana Balawegaya· Colombo· 21 May 2026 ·Oral question: Oral Question Q.841/2025: Colombo National Art Gallery Renovation

Religion & Culture
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Hon. Mujibur Rahuman asked whether the Government would reconsider closing the National Museum on Fridays, citing its historical practice from 1877 to 2013 in honour of Wapichchi Marikkar’s request. He noted that the practice was changed during CHOGM 2013, later restored by officials in January 2025, and sought confirmation that it would continue as a mark of respect.

Verbatim record (translated)

Machine-translated from Sinhala / Tamil / English

¶ 01 My second supplementary concerns the National Museum. Opened on 1 January 1877 under Governor Sir William Henry Gregory, construction leadership and land facilitation were attributed to Wapichchi Marikkar. In honour of his request, the Governor closed the Museum on Fridays. During CHOGM 2013, that practice was changed and the Museum remained open on Fridays. In January 2025, officials decided again to close it on Fridays. For over a century—from 01.01.1877 to 2013—the Friday closure honoured Mr. Marikkar. Will you reconsider and restore the Friday closure as a mark of respect?

Provenance

Source
Hansard, Thursday, 21 May 2026 ·No. 23621 ·English daily/uncorrected Hansard
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Cite as: The Hon. Mujibur Rahuman. 10th Parliament, Parliament of Sri Lanka. Hansard, 21 May 2026. No. 23621. Politick, https://staging.politick.io/lk/speeches/7278