Chilaw is a fishing town situated 50 miles North of Colombo in the Puttalam District. Chilaw also known as Halawata in Sinhala and Silapam in Tamil is a seaside town where fishing is the main occupation. Our Lady of Mount Carmel the cathedral of Chilaw Diocese with a history of more than two centuries is found here. The Hindu temple situated in Munneswaram also known as the Munneswaram temple is a tourist spot. The annual Munneswaram festival a four week colourful festival is visited by a large crowd. The Navarathri and Shivarathri festivals are also grandly celebrated at the temple.
