An Underwater Museum at Galle initiated by the SL Navy

Darshana Sanjeeva Balasuriya, Daily Mirror, 17 June 2020, with this title

Following the opening of the Sri Lanka’s first underwater museum in Galle, the Navy is also planning to build two more underwater museums in Trincomalee and Tangalle.

Navy Commander Piyal de Silva declared open the first underwater museum in Sri Lanka in Galle on April 5.

Following the opening of the Sri Lanka’s first underwater museum in Galle, the Navy is also planning to build two more underwater museums in Trincomalee and Tangalle.

The Navy said that many of the designs created by the Navy have been put in place at underwater museum which has been built around the coast in Galle, which has attracted many local and foreign tourists.

All the installations are designed by Navy personnel and are made of cement and eco-friendly materials.

The underwater museum is located about 50 feet deep in the sea and [and has been] designed [so that viewers can] easily watch anyone who can dive or swim.

Although it was decided earlier to use the railway carriages and fishing vessels as exhibits for the museum, the Navy carried out the project using various statues and souvenirs due to the difficulty of collecting carriages and vessels in a short time.

The fishermen are advised not to engage in fishing activities in the area during the initial phase of the project. “However, the fishermen will have the opportunity to reap maximum benefits, once the fish breeding in the area was developed,” the Navy said.

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A NOTE from Michael Roberts:
As a resident in the Fort of Galle from 1938 to 1960 I used to skin dive within the arena hemmed in by the reefs around the Fort. A magical arena that for a teenager. So, too, the seascapes hemmed in by reefs at the two headland arenas of Unawatuna Beach. Nor can I ever forget that chance movement when i was swimming underwater at Unawatuna and a turtle glided past me in majestic style. Volare: what a moment!
The tsunami alas has devastated that scenario in some spots. This renders the SL Navy’s initiative all the more important ; and we must be mindful of the fact that few Sri Lankans can swim.
Because of my background in and around the sea I have always visited underwater acquariums in such places as Sydney and Harvey Bay (?). I urge all ye landlubbers to open your eyes to the wonders of the undersea world.

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One response to “An Underwater Museum at Galle initiated by the SL Navy

  1. Patrick Rodrigo

    My experience with a Turtle was next to the Mt Lavinia hotel in 1970, I had the chance to try to be carried by a very large Turtle, but this fantastic animal took off without me, the breadth of this animal was a metre at least.

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