Peraliya Buddha Statue

This ramshackle, private museum 3.5km north of Hikkaduwa tells the story through photographs and newspaper features of that dreadful day in 2004 when the Indian Ocean tsunami struck Hikkaduwa and Sri Lanka. Everything is very badly lit and displayed, but that is of no matter because the images here will render you silent.

Take an emotional journey through the history of the 2004 tsunami at Community Tsunami Museum. This museum educates communities about the dangers of tsunamis, while commemorating the 2004 tragedy that claimed so many lives. The tour starts with geological explanations, describing how tsunamis occur, how they are measured, and what warning systems can do to minimize the damage when one does strike. You’ll continue on to see photographs of the area after the tsunami, giving you a sense of how the disaster affected Sri Lanka, and how people banded together to repair the damage across the island. Read the stories of people who survived and get a sense of the true horrors of this tragedy Community Tsunami Museum.