The Marine Archaeological Museum previously set up in Galle was completely destroyed by the tsunami disaster on December 26, 2004.

The present museum is being set up after renovating a massive old building constructed during the Dutch Era which is situated within the historic rampart of Galle.

The museum built under a special grant of Rs. 177 million made by the Government of Netherlands is 40,000 suqare feet in extent. About 200 artefacts discovered from the remains of ships sunk in the ocean nearly 800 years ago are exhibited at the museum.