Hanwella, a small village on a drive of rapid urbanization, lies on the A4 Colombo-Ratnapura main road ("A" grade) meets B18 Padukka-Pugoda road ("B" grade). Hanwella nestling on the banks of Kelani River (145km), the 4th longest river of Sri Lanka, is surrounded by lush green hills and Rubber plantations. Hanwella's two main reservoirs, Labugama and Kalatuwawa are the main source of water supply for the district of Colombo.

During the era of Portuguese in Ceylon, Hanwella was a main battle ground that saw Sinhalese against the Portuguese. The cluster of Catholic churches around Hanwella bears witness to the Portuguese influence at Hanwella.