Puttalam is located by the picturesque lagoon, and offers you the opportunity of visiting Kalpitiya and Thalawila. You can visit Anuradhapura via Puttalam along traffic-free areas road leading to and from the ancient capital. At Kalpitiya there is a well preserved Dutch Fort built some where around 1670. An annual festival at Thalawila Catholic church attracts thousands of pilgrims during March/July. You can also take an excursion by boat to the small islands in the lagoon, or make a trip to the nearby Wilpattu Wildlife Santuary.