Among the archaeologically significant sites in the Colombo District, Nawagamuwa Devale is important as a historic place of worship. Legend has it that the origin of this Pattini Devale close to the Kelani river goes back to the early Anuradhapura period. But, due to destruction by foreign forces and reconstruction over the years, little visible proof remains to confirm this belief. However, archaeological research has revealed several sites in the Nawagamuwa area to confirm that settlements in the area date back to a BCE. When the early Aryan settlements were being established, Kelani river and Kelani Thota were of importance. Nawagamuwa is located at the 13th milepost on the old Colombo - Ratnapura road. It is believed that during the early Anuradhapura period, Nawagamuwa belonged to the Kelani kingdom. According to a popular legend, when King Gajaba 1 (A.D. 114 - 136) came from India with 12,000 men as prisoners, bringing with him a Pattini anklet, he alighted at the landing place close to the Devale. It is said that he built a Devale, enshrined the anklet and held poojas here. From then till the Kotte period no significant facts have been discovered about the site. During the Kotte period, the area was known as Hewagama Korale, according to Rajavaliya. It is said that when Rajasinghe I fought the Portuguese forces at Mulleriyawa, his last camp was pitched here. After his victory, he named the area Hewagama Korale in gratitude to the Hewagama soldiers who came to his aid. During this period, it is said, Nawagamuwa was used as a jetty on the road connecting Colombo Fort with Malwana, Hanwella and Gurubebila. The Pattini Devale was then famed as the Pattini Kovil. The first historical mention of the Nawagamuwa Pattini Devale is found during the Kotte period. Mention is made in the 'Godagama Sannasa', made known by Buwanekabahu V (AD. 1521-1580), of a royal decree for a gift of oil to be made for the Nawagamuwa Pattini Kovil perahera. During the Sitawaka period too this area was historically important. It is noted that when King Mayadunne (A.D. 1521 - 1580) set out to fight the Portuguese in the Colombo Fort, he stopped on his way at the Nawagamuwa Pattini Devale to make a vow before he went to war. According to Portuguese reports, in 1550, the Portuguese king sent 600 troops to help King Buwanekabahu V. They clashed with King Mayadunne at Nawagamuwa. It is also recorded that in 1576, the Portuguese army destroyed Nawagamuwa Devale and established an army camp there. The Devale was rebuilt by King Mayadunne only to be destroyed again by the Captain of the Colombo fort, leaving a pile of ruins. Mr. A.E.L. Tillekewardene of the Archaeological Department says that according to popular beliefs and historical data, Nawagamuwa Devale was known as a pilgrim site from the beginning of the 15th century. Excavations around the Devale from time to time unearthed building materials, wells, Dutch coins and iron implements of the middle