Chilaw

Chilaw (Sinhala: හලාවත, romanized: Halāvata, Tamil: சிலாபம், romanized: Cilāpam) is a city [3] in Puttalam District, North Western Province, Sri Lanka. It is governed by an urban council, whereas the outskirts are governed by a pradeshiya sabha of the same name.[4] The town is located 80 kilometers away from Colombo via Negombo.

Not to be confused with Chile or Silao.
Chilaw
හලාවත
சிலாபம்
City
Metropolis
Flag
Chilaw is located in Sri Lanka
Chilaw
Chilaw
Location in Sri Lanka
Coordinates: 7°35′N 79°48′E
CountrySri Lanka
ProvinceNorth Western Province
DistrictPuttalam District
Government
 • TypeUrban Council
 • BodyChilaw Urban Council
 • ChilawChilaw Urban Council
 • MayorThushan Abeysekara (UNP)
 • Deputy MayorA.W. Sadiqul Ameen (SLFP)
Elevation
3 m (10 ft)
Population
 • City62,515 [1]
 • Urban
26,732 [2]
Time zone+5:30
Postal code
61000
Area code032
Websitechilawuc.dolgnwp.lk

Etymology

The name Chilaw derives its name from its Tamil name Cilāpam, meaning pearl fishery.[5][6]

Our Lady of Mount Carmel Cathedral

The seat of the Chilaw Diocese, this cathedral has a history of more than two centuries. According to legend, 200 years ago, most of what is now Chilaw Town was covered by a forest. A woman was searching for firewood and heard the sound of a lady speaking, "Please take me". She stopped her work and searched for the source of the sound. A statue of Mother Mary was on a tree. The woman took the statue and handed over it to the parish priest who recognized it as Our Lady of Mount Carmel. Many believe that this same statue now stands in the cathedral. Many in Chilaw celebrate the feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel is celebrated every July. During the feast season of Our Lady Of Mount Carmel, the town is fully decorated in homage to Mother Mary.

The visit of Mahatma Gandhi

Mahathma Gandhi, the 'Father of India,' visited Chilaw in November 1927 on his first and only journey to Sri Lanka when it was called Ceylon. This was a historic visit - Gandhi was invited to Chilaw by the freedom fighters Charles Edgar Corea and his brother Victor Corea[7] who lived in the town. The brothers founded the Chilaw Association and the Ceylon National Congress and campaigned hard for the independence of Ceylon. The Corea family have had a strong link with Chilaw. There is a saying in Sri Lanka that Chilaw is well known for the three 'C's' - crabs, coconuts and Coreas.

Munneswaram Temple

Tourists visit the well known Hindu temple located in Munneswaram, situated in the historic Demala Pattuva ("Tamil division") region of Puttalam District. The main festivals celebrated at the temple include Navarathri and Sivarathri. The former is a nine-day-long festival in honour of the presiding Goddess, while the latter is an over-night observation in honour of Lord Shiva. In addition to these two Hindu festivals, the temple observes the four-week-long Munneswaram festival which is attended by both Hindus and Buddhists. During the festival, traders sell hand-painted clay models of animals such as deer, money box tills and 'raban' (traditional hand drums) from stalls all over the town.

See also

References
  1. "Population by divisional secretariat division, religion and sex" (PDF).
  2. "Chilaw Urban Council".
  3. "Cities".
  4. "LOCAL GOVERNMENT INSTITUTIONS IN THE NORTH WESTERN PROVINCE".
  5. Census, Ceylon Superintendent of; Denham, Edward Brandis (1912). Ceylon at the Census of 1911. H. C. Cottle, government printer, Ceylon. pp. 104. chilaw name.
  6. "சிலாபம் | அகராதி | Tamil Dictionary". agarathi.com. University of Madras Lexicon. Retrieved 2018-07-31.
  7. "Chilaw to honour C. E. Victor S. Corea, Sunday Observer, Sri Lanka". Archived from the original on 2012-10-17. Retrieved 2011-08-02.

Bibliography
  • The Mahavamsa - History of Sri Lanka, The Great Chronicle of Sri Lanka
  • Ceylon and the Portuguese, 1505-1658 By P.E. Peiris (1920)
  • Great Sinhalese Men and Women of History - Edirille Bandara (Domingos Corea) By John M. Senaveratna, (1937)
  • A History of Sri Lanka By Professor K.M.De Silva (1981)
  • Twentieth Century Impressions of Ceylon: Its History, People, Commerce, Industries and Resources By A.W. Wright, Asian Educational Services,India; New Ed edition (15 December 2007)

Maps

7°35′N 79°48′E

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