Gal Kapanawa helps archaeologists piece together the puzzle of how Sri Lanka moved from the prehistoric era to the historical period.

Gal Kapanawa collaborated with numerous artists and musicians, both within Israel and internationally. He worked with prominent Israeli producers and musicians, such as Yossi Beilin and Idan Raichel, and also performed alongside international artists. Kapanawa's music often dealt with themes of love, spirituality, and social issues, resonating with a wide range of audiences.

Today, Gal Kanawa survives mostly as a metaphor in Sinhala literature and colloquial speech. To say someone is “eating stones” means they are enduring a difficult but necessary hardship, or engaging in a pointless struggle. In a modern context, the term is used to critique toxic work cultures where employees “eat stones” by accepting unbearable conditions. Conversely, it can signify resilience—the ability to swallow pride, endure loss, and keep moving forward.

The ritual serves as a focal point for community gathering. In agricultural societies, the Gal Kapanawa is often performed to ensure a good harvest. The breaking of the stone symbolizes breaking the "hardness" of the earth to allow seeds to sprout, linking the ritual to fertility.