The off-the-beaten-track fishing town of Chilaw (pronounced in the Portuguese manner as ‘Chilao’), sits along a swathe of unspoilt coastline on Sri Lanka’s west coast. For visitors going northwards to Wilpattu National Park or Anuradhapura upon arrival in Colombo, Chilaw offers the perfect stop to shake off any jet lag and get introduced to the ‘la dolce vita’ Sri Lankan style.
Apart from the beach to relax on, Chilaw’s other attractions include a busy fish market and the colourful St Mary’s Cathedral. Nearby, the Munnesvaram Temple is one of most important Hindu temples on the island. The original temple was destroyed by the Portuguese, and the present building dates from the British colonial period.
