he Underwater Museum at Sandy Bay, Trincomalee was officially opened on July 20, 2020 as part of Sri Lanka’s initiative to promote sustainable marine tourism, recreational diving and coastal economic activity. Designed and constructed primarily by the Sri Lanka Navy, the museum became a landmark underwater attraction that showcases a combination of artistry, military heritage, and marine conservation. Two decommissioned armored tanks supplied by the Sri Lanka Army were added as major attractions, quickly rising in popularity among both local and foreign divers due to their size, recognizable form and the rapid marine colonization around them. The placement of the museum near intentionally sunk Sri Lanka Navy vessels—such as the nearby gunboat wrecks— further enhanced the area’s value as a combined dive site cluster.

The Galle Underwater Museum was a planned cultural and ecological project initiated by the Sri Lankan Navy. Construction began on 12 January 2020 and concluded on 05 April 2020. Commander of the Navy officially opened the museum. The project involved sinking and placing 20 stone pillars, 21 statues, and other artifacts at the site.

The Nilwella Museum was a planned initiative that began construction on 21 March 2021. The project was designed to create a complex artificial reef structure using a variety of decommissioned land and air assets. Key deployment events included the sinking of 3 vehicles, 4 house structures, and a bus halt on 21 March 2021. An aircraft and a CTB bus were sunk on 28 March 2021. The most notable placement was the sinking of an armoured tank on 23 March 2024.

This site is not an accidental wreck but a carefully planned ecological project. The initiative was spearheaded by the Sri Lanka Navy (SLN) in collaboration with key environmental and fisheries agencies. A collection of retired buses from the Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB) was sourced, cleaned and structurally modified. The strategic mandate was to establish artificial reef structures that provide new, stable hard substrate for marine life and a critical step in forming new fish breeding and nursery grounds. This project simultaneously aims to relieve unsustainable fishing pressure on the fragile natural coral reefs in the Nilaveli area. Before their final deployment in November 2020, the decommissioned fleet of buses underwent stringent environmental safety protocols: All fluids, oils, rubber, glass and hazardous pollutants were systematically removed. The buses were strategically cut to create large, open water flow channels and secure entry as well as exit points, optimizing the structure for safe marine habitation. The Department of Fishery and Navy transported the hulls offshore and executed a precise, controlled lowering operation to ensure the structures settled upright and stable on the sandy bottom, ready for colonization.

Located off Sandy Bay beach, this underwater museum features submerged Navy gunboats Ex-SLNS Jagatha and Ex-SLNS Weeraya, along with replica cannons and eco-friendly sculptures acting as artificial reefs.

Sri Lanka's first underwater museum, situated off the Galle harbor, boasting numerous hand-carved concrete sculptures and statues that create a vibrant marine sanctuary.

Established in the West coast, this museum contains artificial reef structures designed to conserve fish breeding grounds and attract divers with sculptures of ancient sailors.