The school of Wattala was located near current day Wattala. It was where the ferry crossed the river to ‘Pas Betaal’.

In Wattala lived many people of the HunuCaste-group historically associated with lime burning, but in colonial times often working as labourers in the port cities.  caste, but also SalagamaCaste-group primarily associated with cinnamon peeling. During pre-colonial times they had predominantly worked as farmers only occasionally producing cinnamon for local elites like the kings. In colonial times the maintenance of the cinnamon forests and the production of consumable cinnamon became their primary task. and GoyigamaHistorically the largest caste-group in the southern regions of Sri Lanka. They were known as landowners and agriculturists, often considered one of the higher castes. , who were connected to this school.