A group of eight students who were born in 1977 and who studied at the Galewela Primary School and later completed their GCE Ordinary Level together, have reunited after many years, and have dedicated themselves to philanthropic work.
Calling themselves “The ’77 Group”, the former classmates meet once a month to discuss ways they can help the needy.
Their first venture was to build a home for a homeless family. The Grama Niladhari of the area, Chaminda Ratnayake, helped the group by identifying a poor family that was especially in need of assistance.
H. M. Mallika, a 44-year-old widow and mother of four, was doing manual labour to support her family.
Each member of “The ’77 Group” contributed Rs. 30,000, and together they funded the building of a house at a cost of Rs. 250,000.
When the house was completed five months later, the Old Boys of Galewala Primary presented the family with the house at a formal ceremony at which the mother was also presented with a cow worth Rs. 80,000, so she could start a self-help business venture.
The chief guest at the handing over ceremony was Divisional Secretary W. Wanninayake. Also present was the Viharadhipathi of the Millawana Vihara.
“The ’77 Group” comprises Chaminda Ratnayake, Indika Wijeratne, I. Karunaratne, P. Wijeratne, R. S. Piyasiri, R. Seneviratne, D. N. Ratnayake and Thushara Sanjiva. |
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