| Chilaw | |
| Native Name: | හලාවත சிலாபம் |
| Official Name: | Metropolis |
| Settlement Type: | City |
| Pushpin Map: | Sri Lanka |
| Pushpin Label Position: | above |
| Pushpin Map Caption: | Location in Sri Lanka |
| Subdivision Type: | Country |
| Subdivision Name: | Sri Lanka |
| Subdivision Type1: | Province |
| Subdivision Name1: | North Western Province |
| Subdivision Type2: | District |
| Subdivision Name2: | Puttalam District |
| Government Type: | Urban Council |
| Governing Body: | Chilaw Urban Council |
| Leader Title: | Chilaw |
| Leader Name: | Chilaw Urban Council |
| Leader Title1: | Mayor |
| Leader Name1: | Thushan Abeysekara (UNP) |
| Leader Title2: | Deputy Mayor |
| Leader Name2: | A.W. Sadiqul Ameen (SLFP) |
| Population Total: | 62,515 [1] |
| Population Urban: | 26,732 [2] |
| Timezone: | +5:30 |
| Coordinates: | 7.5833°N 127°W |
| Elevation M: | 3 |
| Postal Code Type: | Postal code |
| Postal Code: | 61000 |
| Area Code: | 032 |
Chilaw (si|හලාවත|translit=Halāvata, ta|சிலாபம்|translit=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.
The name Chilaw derives its name from its Tamil name Cilāpam, meaning pearl fishery.[5] [6]
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.
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.
Chilaw is famous for Our Lady of Mount Carmel Cathedral. The seat of the Chilaw Diocese, this cathedral dating from 1851 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 clock tower and the City Hall are worth a visit as well.
Chilaw has a railway station, 82 kms from Colombo, on the Puttalam line which was extended to Chilaw in 1916.