One of the final exhibits of the museum was a display of the causes of sea pollution, coast erosion, and the methods used to combat these problems.

The museum suffered significant damage from the 2004 Asian tsunami,[3] with only an estimated 20% of the 3,600 objects salvaged from shipwrecks within the waters of Galle port remaining.

[4] The tsunami caused the demolition of the UNESCO Archaeological Marine Unit, a joint Sri Lankan/Dutch Project, which was located on one of the old jetties just outside the northern gate of Galle Fort.

The water entered the Town from the northern gate and flooded the premises of the former Maritime Museum, (up to a height of 2.2 metres), which was closed for renovations at the time of the tsunami.

[6] The original 40,000 square feet (3,700 m2) Dutch warehouse building was fully renovated under a special grant of Rs.

There are maps, naval craft, ropes, earthenware, beer mugs, smoking pipes, barrels, vast numbers of articles including artillery guns and sailor shoes.