This museum which belongs to the department of National Museums establish in a special historic building where situated in “Magama” kingdome. In ancient Sri Lanka there were thri Sinhala divisions such as Ruhunu-Maya-Pihity. In that period ‘Rohanaratta’  - ‘Rohanaya’- Ruhuna’ area ,Kingdome Magama was the ruling center or the capital of the division.

According to chronicles the name ‘Rohana’ was happen in the early days of Anuradhapura era. King Paanduwasudewa who ruled in Anuradhapura was get married with prince Bhaddakachchayana from Bharath (ancient India) as his chief consort. And her brother prince Rohana came from Anuradhapura and settled somewhere in Sri Lanka  . Later that area was called ‘Rohanaya’. It was situated south from River Mahaweli and South from River Benthara and also limited south and west shores. It limits in north ,goes upto Trincomalee, in the middle up to Kandy, in west upto Benthota and ended with south and west shores.

Magampura was a kingdome of Magampura which built by prince ‘Mahanama’ a brother of Dewanapathis who came from Anuradhapura . Evidence have been founded regarding this city was modern city of Thissamaharamaya. This museum was established in the ancient building complex of kachcheri in Kingdome Magampura currently named Hambanthota.

British administrator Leonard Woolf (1880-1969) who was the Assistant Government Agent of Hambanthota District. The Building in which the Magampura  Ruhuna Heritage Museum is established represent the secretariat of Leonard Woolf. Later his predecessors were used this old kachcheri building as it is.

This museum reflects culture and natural heritage in the region of Ruhuna. The collection of artifacts and models, pictures, paintings reflects pre-historic ,historic ,art and archaeology situation in southern Lanka. And there is a collection of information about the European activities and changes happen in down south. As well as after independence , until the present time a large number of pioneers of divers, disciplines such as social, political, scientific and artistic facets existed in the Rohanapura. The portrait busts of pioneers in modern Rohanapura are in this museum. This museum can be  used as a research center from a  school child to  the highest level of  scholars.

The very special feature of this museum is ; it is using  modern technology for sensors to reduce expenditure, videos, able to access into information through mobile phone apps/soft wears and also free Wi-Fi for the public and could be consider this as a modern museum.