St. Anne’s Church, a unique shrine dedicated to St. Anne, the mother of St. Mary, known for its miracles and blessings for over 400 years holds one of the most celebrated Christian festivals in Sri Lanka. The festival takes place during the holy week from 7th to 13th March and the church feast on the first Sunday in August. St. Anne’s church located in a little town called at Thalawila nestled within the Kalpitiya Peninsula gathers thousands of devout pilgrims, drawn from every strata of life and from every corner of the island.

The history

The history of the shrine of St. Anne at Thalawila has been silhouetted by written records and authentic traditions going back to the 17th century and believed to possess a divine power. St. Anne’s Church is easy to access with the roads in good condition and offering some stunning views of the Talawila Beach merely hundred meters away from the Shrine with full grown coconut palms to gladden the hearts of thousands of pilgrims showcasing Sri Lanka’s religious and cultural traditions.