Retired Army ‘uncle’ praised for keeping Homagama school clean

The work of a 74-year-old Army retiree who has volunteered his time for over ten years to help students and teachers at Homagama Godagama Subharathi Mahamatya Vidyalaya to keep the school premises in an orderly manner and help in other affairs has come in for high praise.

His name is Thalawalage Thilakaratne, but is known as “Thilakaratne Mama” (Thilakaratne Uncle), both inside the School and the village. Thilakaratne Mama comes to the School around 5.30 in the morning and his first task is to clean the school premises and water the plants.

Later, when the children come to the school, Thillakaratne mama, goes to the main entrance of the school and is engaged in handling the vehicles. Later, at the end of the school too he handles vehicular traffic to ensure the safety of the students.

He is a father of two children and had studied at the Dharmaraja Vidyalaya Meegoda and later had worked as a technician in the Sri Lanka Army. Even though he had sustained severe injuries to his hand and was partly disabled due to a car accident, the way he diligently carries out the work is a sight that catches the eye of anyone who goes to that school. He also walks three kilometres daily from home to reach school.

He also has never sought any monetary benefits for his work, according to school authorities. Even at the age of 74, Thillakaratne uncle is a tireless man and his work for the school over a period of 10 years has garnered high praise and affection from students, teachers, parents and the villagers alike.

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