Thilini speaks out for other disabled

G.W. Gamini- Sabaragamuwa Group corr.

U.G. Thilini Nimeshika Jayatilleke a student of the Ambanpitiya Special School in the Kegalle District who created history by qualifying to enter university by providing oral answers to the 2012 G.C.E. Advanced Level question papers due to a disability in her nervous system and wrongly placed wrists, has made an open request from authorities to provide such facilities to other children who are differently abled like her.

Born on June 25, 1992 at Bamunamulla, Rambukkana, Thilini had faced physical disabilities from birth. She was admitted to the Grade 7 class at the Ambanpitiya School in 2004. She passed the 2009 G.C.E. Ordinary Level Examination too by providing oral answers and passed nine subjects with 5 credit passes. Soon after passing Ordinary Level she made an open request for an opportunity to sit for the Advanced Level too by providing oral answers and Sabaragamuwa Chief Minister Maheepala Herath acceeded to her request by providing three teachers from neighbouring schools to cater to her education. President Mahinda Rajapaksa who came to know about Thilini’s special aptitudes had directed officials of the Presidential Secretariat to provide all possible support and environment to her.

Chief Minister Maheepala Herath visited the Ambanpitiya Special School on February 1 to personally congratulate Thilini for her achievement.

Thilini who said that her next desire was to gain admission to university and be of service to the country after completing her education said her only request from authorities was to provide the same opportunities for talented children with physical disabilities to further their prospects in education in similar manner.

Thilini’s mother is also a teacher attached to the Ambanpitiya Special School and her father is a mathematics teacher attached to the Yatalatissa Maha Vidyalaya, Yattogoda.