Puttalam District

Encyclopedia

Puttalam is a district situated near to the west coast of Sri Lanka. It has an area of 3,072 km2 (1,186 sq mi).[1] Along with the Kurunegala District, it formulates the North Western Province of Sri Lanka. The district capital is Puttalam, which borders the Kala Oya and Modaragam Aru in the north, Anuradhapura District and Kurunegala District in the east, Ma Oya in the south, and the Indian Ocean in the west. Puttalam is well known for its picturesque lagoons, popular for shallow sea fishing and prawn farming activities. The town of Kalpitiya, and the Kalpitiya Peninsula, is located in this district.

History

  • In 1845, North Western Province was created.
  • In 1958, then Puttalam district was merged with Chilaw district.[3]

Geography

Puttalam district is situated in the upper part of the western coastal belt.

Administrative Structure

There are 548 GN division in the area. These areas are governed by the 16 Divisional Secretary areas.

List of Divisional Secretary areas in Puttlam district

  • Anamaduwa Divisional Secretariat
  • Arachchikattuwa Divisional Secretariat
  • Chilaw Divisional Secretariat
  • Dankotuwa Divisional Secretariat
  • Kalpitiya Divisional Secretariat
  • Karuwalagaswewa Divisional Secretariat
  • Madampe Divisional Secretariat
  • Mahakumbukkadawala Divisional Secretariat
  • Mahawewa Divisional Secretariat
  • Mundalama Divisional Secretariat
  • Nattandiya Divisional Secretariat
  • Nawagattegama Divisional Secretariat
  • Pallama Divisional Secretariat
  • Puttalam Divisional Secretariat
  • Vanathavilluwa Divisional Secretariat
  • Wennappuwa Divisional Secretariat

Religion

Religious statistics in Puttalam District (2011)

  Buddhism (43.24%)
  Christianity (33.08%)
  Islam (19.72%)
  Hinduism (3.78%)
  Other (0.2%)

Puttalam district is a multi-religious area. Buddhism is the major religion in the district. It has established since the early part of the Anuradhapura kingdom. The second commonest religion is the Roman Catholics. In addition to two of the above major religions Hinduism, Christianity and Islam are well established in the area. Munneswaram Hindu Temple, St. Anne’s Church Thalawila are some of the historical religious places in the area.

Major cities

  • Puttalam (Urban Council)
  • Chilaw (Urban Council)

Other towns

  • Anamaduwa
  • Battuluoya
  • Dankotuwa
  • Eluvankulam
  • Kalpitiya
  • Madampe
  • Mahawewa
  • Marawila
  • Mundel
  • Nattandiya
  • Nuraicholai
  • Palavi
  • Thillayadi
  • Wennappuwa
  • Katuneriya
  • Nainamadama