32 



JOURNAL R. A. S. (CEYLON), [VOL. II., PART IL 



STATISTICAL ACCOUNT OF THE DISTRICT OF 

 CHILAW AND PUTTALAM, NORTH- 

 WESTERN PROVINCE. 



By A. 0. Bropie, Esq. 



The District of Chilaw and Puttalam forms the maritime 

 portion of the North-Western Province, and is bounded by the 

 Northern Province, Seven Korales, Western Province, and the 

 sea. Its length from North to South is about eighty miles, 

 and its breadth is irregular, but averages probably sixteen or 

 somewhat less. 



The general appearance is flat, especially along the coasts : 

 towards the interior, low undulating ridges and a few isolated 

 granite groups are observed. The whole surface, except where 

 salt-water marshes occur, or cultivation has been established, 

 is covered with dense jungles containing valuable timber trees* 



Divisions. 



The District is not physically divided in any way, with this 

 exception, that from Kalpitiya to Madampe" (about fifty miles) 

 there runs a narrow, low, sandy peninsula, the northern portion 

 of which is termed Akkaraippattu, and which is separated from 

 the mainland by the gulf of Kalpitiya, Quiparawa canal, and 

 Kadupiti-oya, successively. From its northern extremity, a 

 narrow chain of islands runs towards Mannar and has doubtless, 

 in a previous age, formed a continuation of the peninsula. For 

 financial purposes, however, the District is divided into the 

 following sections : — 



(1.) Puttalam district. 



(2.) Chilaw District, Northern division. 



(3.) Chilaw District, Southern Division. 

 (1.) The first of these is sub-divided into six pattus 

 (Puttalam, Kalpitiya, Akkarai, Pomparippu, Kumarawanni, 

 and Rajawanni pattus), 



