The town may date back to the Southeast Asian occupation of Yalpanam, where certain settlements and forts were established by Chandrabhanu to maintain hegemony over the overseas colony.

Chavakachcheri was badly devastated in the Sri Lankan Civil War.

Today, the government and the people of Chavakachcheri have rebuilt the town, but the population remains drastically lower than the pre-war years.

The 111-year-old Chavakachcheri Hindu College, a high school, is a leading centre of education in the town.

This Northern Province, Sri Lanka location article is a stub.