During the past couple of years, the number of ceramic stores has increased rapidly and is still counting.

However, the old village of Nawala, which until the 1920s was mainly uninhabited, was bounded by the Diyawanna Oya to the south and east, the Heen Ela to the west, and Koswatte to the North.

Decades before the modern era, when there was mass migration from villages to suburbs, Nawala was said to house large plant nurseries.

Apart from hundreds of ceramic retail establishments today, Nawala is home to a notable list of restaurants.

Kandawatte Road, located opposite the Wetland park, Nawala houses the famous Thiru Murugan's Food Waves serving vegetarian Indian cuisine.