Catholicism in Sillalai is well over 500 years when all its inhabitants were Catholics. History records that the statue of ‘Kathirai Matha’ a rare depiction of Mother Mary seated on a chair holding baby Jesus on her lap was brought to Sillali by the Portuguese.Read More »

On landing at Jaffna, St. Joseph Vaz found a strong Calvinist presence. As Catholic priests were banned by the Dutch authorities, he had to travel under the guise of a mendicant and to work in secret. After some time the townsfolk of JaffnaRead More »

The Sillali church was rebuilt at the same place by late Reverend by Father Louis Daisy OMI,The foundation stone for this building was laid in 1957 and completed in 1960. Fr.Daisy built the Church which is considered as one of the most beautiful churches in the IslandRead More »

Sillalai is fondly called the “Little Rome” for its dedication to Catholicism. August 15th the feast of Our Lady is the Sillalai, celebrated on a very grand scale every year. Sillalaians from various parts of the countries gather aroundRead More »