The Matara Church , protected by the sturdy walls of the fort , was slightly damaged by the tsunami caused by the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake . The building did not suffer structural damage but the majority of the antique furniture was destroyed . The Evangelist of the Church , with the assistance of the Dutch Reformed Church ( DRC ) , turned the building into a food distribution centre for the suffering population . Church services were subsequently resumed despite the damage . The church has been restored by the Wolvendaal Foundation in cooperation with the Archaeological Department of Sri Lanka
2004 Indian Ocean earthquake
Effect of the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake on Sri Lanka
Dutch Reformed Church, Matara