The Moon Memorial Museum at the Royal Botanical Garden, Peradeniya, will be opened to the public on September 28, according to State Minister of Environment Anton Jayakody.
The museum aims to protect endangered plant species, preserve their parts, and disseminate scientific knowledge about them. Speaking at a press briefing held today (25) at the Department of Government Information, the State Minister said this marks a significant milestone for the Department of Botanical Gardens.
He added that nearly two million visitors tour the Peradeniya Botanical Garden annually, and the museum will provide them with valuable educational opportunities.
Named in memory of Alexander Moon, the founder of the Royal Botanical Garden, the Moon Memorial Museum will be open daily from 9.00 a.m. to 3.00 p.m. In 1824, Moon published a catalogue of 1,127 indigenous plant species, making a historic contribution to botanical research in Sri Lanka.
The museum will focus on gene conservation, research on plant genetics, and educating the public on ecosystems and their preservation. It will also feature exhibits such as dried plant specimens and historical plant models, offering an in-depth understanding of plant science.
The initiative is expected to parallel world-renowned botanical museums such as the New York Botanical Garden, Missouri Botanical Garden, Singapore Botanical Garden Museum (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), the Royal Botanical Garden in England, and the Edinburgh Botanical Garden in Scotland. It will also serve as a platform for local conservation awareness, particularly benefiting schoolchildren and the wider community.
