Sri Lanka has quite a long colonial history. The island was invaded by the Portuguese, Dutch and English at different periods in history. Thus, many aspects of the colonial lifestyle have integrated into Sri Lankan society. get to know all the details at the Colombo Dutch Museum. The building of the museum was established in the 17th century. It was the residence of the Dutch governor at the time. The museum artefacts highlight 200 years of Dutch rule, from 1658-1796 over the coastal areas of the island. Sri Lanka, then known as Ceylon was a strategic location, for many trade induced colonisers at the time.The antiquities include furniture, clothing, artwork, and weapons.